Jack Susan M
School of Nursing, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Public Health Nurs. 2006 May-Jun;23(3):277-83. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2006.230311.x.
Epidemiological data, derived from quantitative studies, provide important information about the causes, prevalence, risk correlates, treatment and prevention of diseases, and health issues at a population level. However, public health issues are complex in nature and quantitative research findings are insufficient to support practitioners and administrators in making evidence-informed decisions. Upshur's Synthetic Model of Evidence (2001) situates qualitative research findings as a credible source of evidence for public health practice. This article answers the following questions: (1) where does qualitative research fit within the paradigm of evidence-based practice and (2) how can qualitative research be used by public health professionals? Strategies for using qualitative research findings instrumentally, conceptually, and symbolically are identified by applying Estabrooks' (1999) conceptual structure of research utilization. Different research utilization strategies are illustrated through the use of research examples from the field of work on intimate partner violence against women. Recommendations for qualitative researchers disseminating findings and for public health practitioners/policy makers considering the use of qualitative findings as evidence to inform decisions are provided.
来自定量研究的流行病学数据提供了有关疾病的病因、患病率、风险关联因素、治疗和预防以及人群层面健康问题的重要信息。然而，公共卫生问题本质复杂，定量研究结果不足以支持从业者和管理人员做出基于证据的决策。厄普舒尔的证据综合模型（2001年）将定性研究结果定位为公共卫生实践的可靠证据来源。本文回答以下问题：（1）定性研究在循证实践范式中处于什么位置，以及（2）公共卫生专业人员如何使用定性研究？通过应用埃斯塔布鲁克斯（1999年）的研究利用概念结构，确定了在工具性、概念性和象征性方面使用定性研究结果的策略。通过使用针对妇女的亲密伴侣暴力工作领域的研究实例，说明了不同的研究利用策略。为定性研究人员传播研究结果以及为考虑将定性研究结果用作决策依据的公共卫生从业者/政策制定者提供了建议。
