Finnegan Alan
J R Army Med Corps. 2014 Jun;160(2):135-40. doi: 10.1136/jramc-2013-000223. Epub 2014 Jan 24.
The aim of qualitative research is to produce empirical evidence with data collected through means such as interviews and observation. Qualitative research encourages diversity in the way of thinking and the methods used. Good studies produce a richness of data to provide new knowledge or address extant problems. However, qualitative research resulting in peer review publications within the Defence Medical Services (DMS) is a rarity. This article aims to help redress this balance by offering direction regarding qualitative research in the DMS with a focus on choosing a theoretical framework, analysing the data and ethical approval. Qualitative researchers need an understanding of the paradigms and theories that underpin methodological frameworks, and this article includes an overview of common theories in phenomenology, ethnography and grounded theory, and their application within the military. It explains qualitative coding: the process used to analyse data and shape the analytical framework. A popular four phase approach with examples from an operational nursing research study is presented. Finally, it tackles the issue of ethical approval for qualitative studies and offers direction regarding the research proposal and participant consent. The few qualitative research studies undertaken in the DMS have offered innovative insights into defence healthcare providing information to inform and change educational programmes and clinical practice. This article provides an extra resource for clinicians to encourage studies that will improve the operational capability of the British Armed Forces. It is anticipated that these guidelines are transferable to research in other Armed Forces and the military Veterans population.
定性研究的目的是通过访谈和观察等方式收集的数据来产生实证证据。定性研究鼓励思维方式和所使用方法的多样性。优秀的研究能产生丰富的数据，以提供新知识或解决现存问题。然而，在国防医疗服务（DMS）中产生同行评审出版物的定性研究却很罕见。本文旨在通过提供有关DMS定性研究的指导，以纠正这种不平衡，重点关注选择理论框架、分析数据和伦理批准。定性研究人员需要理解支撑方法框架的范式和理论，本文概述了现象学、民族志和扎根理论中的常见理论及其在军队中的应用。它解释了定性编码：用于分析数据和构建分析框架的过程。本文介绍了一种流行的四阶段方法，并给出了一项作战护理研究的实例。最后，它解决了定性研究的伦理批准问题，并就研究提案和参与者同意提供了指导。在DMS中进行的少数定性研究对国防医疗保健提供了创新见解，为教育计划和临床实践提供了信息并促使其改变。本文为临床医生提供了额外的资源，以鼓励开展有助于提高英国武装部队作战能力的研究。预计这些指南可适用于其他武装部队和退伍军人的研究。
