Qualitative methods: beyond the cookbook - PubMed (original) (raw)

Qualitative methods: beyond the cookbook

G Harding et al. Fam Pract. 1998 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Qualitative methods appear increasingly in vogue in health services research (HSR). Such research, however, has utilized, often uncritically, a 'cookbook' of methods for data collection, and common-sense principles for data analysis.

Results and conclusions: This paper argues that qualitative HSR benefits from recognizing and drawing upon theoretical principles underlying qualitative data collection and analysis. A distinction is drawn between problem-orientated and theory-orientated research, in order to illustrate how problem-orientated research would benefit from the introduction of theoretical perspectives in order to develop the knowledge base of health services research.

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