3/28/25
RESEARCH METHODS IN THE
HEALTH SCIENCES
Chapter 6
Qualitative Research:
Qualitative Designs
This lecture builds on QUAL concepts presented
in Chapter 5
1
Designing a Qualitative Research Study (1)
Research Stages and Corresponding Action Steps
Stages Action Steps
Conceptual Having an idea (research problem), systematically reviewing the
(Thinking) literature to verify the problem has the potential to generate new
knowledge, writing a problem statement, a research purpose statement,
and research question(s)
Design Selecting the best research design and research methods (sampling,
(Planning) data collection, data analysis) that align with research question(s),
submitting the research study proposal for IRB review
Empirical Obtaining IRB approval to conduct the study, recruiting/selecting the
(Doing) sample, obtaining informed consent from participants, collecting the
data
Analytic Utilizing the best analysis strategies to yield meaningful results from
(Analyzing) data (answering the research questions and simultaneously uncovering
new avenues of inquiry)
Dissemination Writing a journal article to share results/finding (new knowledge) with
(Sharing) the scientific community
2
Important Topics Covered in this
Lecture
• Qualitative research designs
– Align research questions and/or purpose statements
to research designs
– Define new terms related to qualitative research
– Recognize the unique characteristics of four different
qualitative research designs
• Select methods that align with each research design
3
1
, 3/28/25
Research Methodology
Research Design
Research Methods
4
How to start . . .
• Determine the research methodology. . .
• Select a research design within a methodology,
that will best answers RQ
• These decisions…Inform research methods
– blueprint of how you will conduct the study, it will
determine how you. . .
• select participants or subjects (sampling)
• select data collection methodologies
• determine data analysis methodologies
• determine types of conclusions your research can yield
5
Quantitative Designs Qualitative Designs
Experimental
• Focused
Experimental Quasi-experimental Ethnography
Solomon 4 group Simple time series
Pretest/Posttest
Posttest only
Pretest/Posttest
Posttest only
• Grounded Theory
Within subject
Control group:
Within subject
Control group:
• Phenomenological
time series time series
etc. etc. • Case Study
Non-experimental/Descriptive Mixed Methods Designs
• Survey • Convergent (parallel/concurrent)
• Developmental
• Observational
• Cohort • Explanatory
• Case-control
• Correlational
• Exploratory
6
2
RESEARCH METHODS IN THE
HEALTH SCIENCES
Chapter 6
Qualitative Research:
Qualitative Designs
This lecture builds on QUAL concepts presented
in Chapter 5
1
Designing a Qualitative Research Study (1)
Research Stages and Corresponding Action Steps
Stages Action Steps
Conceptual Having an idea (research problem), systematically reviewing the
(Thinking) literature to verify the problem has the potential to generate new
knowledge, writing a problem statement, a research purpose statement,
and research question(s)
Design Selecting the best research design and research methods (sampling,
(Planning) data collection, data analysis) that align with research question(s),
submitting the research study proposal for IRB review
Empirical Obtaining IRB approval to conduct the study, recruiting/selecting the
(Doing) sample, obtaining informed consent from participants, collecting the
data
Analytic Utilizing the best analysis strategies to yield meaningful results from
(Analyzing) data (answering the research questions and simultaneously uncovering
new avenues of inquiry)
Dissemination Writing a journal article to share results/finding (new knowledge) with
(Sharing) the scientific community
2
Important Topics Covered in this
Lecture
• Qualitative research designs
– Align research questions and/or purpose statements
to research designs
– Define new terms related to qualitative research
– Recognize the unique characteristics of four different
qualitative research designs
• Select methods that align with each research design
3
1
, 3/28/25
Research Methodology
Research Design
Research Methods
4
How to start . . .
• Determine the research methodology. . .
• Select a research design within a methodology,
that will best answers RQ
• These decisions…Inform research methods
– blueprint of how you will conduct the study, it will
determine how you. . .
• select participants or subjects (sampling)
• select data collection methodologies
• determine data analysis methodologies
• determine types of conclusions your research can yield
5
Quantitative Designs Qualitative Designs
Experimental
• Focused
Experimental Quasi-experimental Ethnography
Solomon 4 group Simple time series
Pretest/Posttest
Posttest only
Pretest/Posttest
Posttest only
• Grounded Theory
Within subject
Control group:
Within subject
Control group:
• Phenomenological
time series time series
etc. etc. • Case Study
Non-experimental/Descriptive Mixed Methods Designs
• Survey • Convergent (parallel/concurrent)
• Developmental
• Observational
• Cohort • Explanatory
• Case-control
• Correlational
• Exploratory
6
2
