Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada, C1A 4P3.
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, V6T 1Z4.
J Dairy Sci. 2023 Sep;106(9):5880-5895. doi: 10.3168/jds.2022-23125. Epub 2023 Jul 18.
The use of qualitative research in dairy science has increased considerably in recent years, providing the opportunity to inform research and practice. This review aims to enhance the accessibility of qualitative research among a range of audiences and specifically: (1) provide an overview of what qualitative research is and the value it can bring to scientific inquiries in the dairy context, (2) illustrate the emergence of qualitative dairy science research in the past 15 to 20 years, (3) outline the role of the researcher and key philosophical assumptions underlying qualitative research, (4) describe qualitative research approaches and methods used in dairy science research, and (5) highlight key aspects of qualitative inquiry used to ensure research trustworthiness. Qualitative approaches in dairy science enable researchers to understand myriad topics including stakeholder relationships, decision-making, and behaviors regarding dairy cattle management, animal welfare, and disease prevention and control measures. Approaches that were used often for qualitative data collection were individual interviews and focus groups, and variations of thematic analysis were common analytical frameworks. To assess public values, attitudes, and perceptions, mixed methods questionnaires that combined quantitative data with qualitative data from open-ended questions were used regularly. Although still used infrequently, action research and participatory approaches have the potential to bridge the research-implementation gap by facilitating group-based learning and on-farm changes. Some publications described the philosophical assumptions inherent to qualitative research, and many authors included reflexivity and positionality statements. Although a comprehensive description of strategies to meet trustworthiness criteria for qualitative research was uncommon, many publications mentioned certain aspects of trustworthiness, such as member checking, researcher triangulation, and the recording of reflexive notes. Qualitative research has been used to deepen our understanding of phenomena relevant to the dairy sector and has opened the door for a broad array of new opportunities. In addition to having merit on its own, qualitative research can guide, inform, and expand on quantitative research, and an understanding of the core pillars of qualitative research can foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
近年来，定性研究在乳品科学中的应用有了显著的增长，为研究和实践提供了机会。本综述旨在提高定性研究在不同受众中的可及性，特别是：（1）概述定性研究是什么，以及它在乳品背景下的科学研究中能带来什么价值，（2）阐述过去 15 到 20 年中定性乳品科学研究的出现，（3）概述研究人员的角色和定性研究的关键哲学假设，（4）描述乳品科学研究中使用的定性研究方法和方法，（5）突出用于确保研究可信度的定性探究的关键方面。乳品科学中的定性方法使研究人员能够理解许多主题，包括利益相关者关系、与奶牛管理、动物福利以及疾病预防和控制措施相关的决策和行为。常用于定性数据收集的方法是个人访谈和焦点小组，主题分析的变体是常见的分析框架。为了评估公众的价值观、态度和看法，经常使用将定量数据与开放式问题的定性数据相结合的混合方法问卷。尽管仍然很少使用，但行动研究和参与式方法通过促进基于群体的学习和农场内的变革，有可能弥合研究与实施之间的差距。一些出版物描述了定性研究中固有的哲学假设，许多作者包括反思性和立场声明。虽然对满足定性研究可信度标准的策略进行全面描述并不常见，但许多出版物提到了可信度的某些方面，例如成员检查、研究人员三角剖分和反思性笔记的记录。定性研究已被用于深化我们对与乳品部门相关的现象的理解，并为广泛的新机会打开了大门。除了自身的价值外，定性研究还可以指导、告知和扩展定量研究，对定性研究的核心支柱的理解可以促进跨学科合作。
