Outline for a Qualitative Study

Step 1: Develop a research question

o For qualitative study you are trying to describe or understand the phenomenon, develop
a theory about how the phenomenon works, discover something about the
phenomenon or about the subjects with whom you will be interacting
o State in broad terms the main question you will be trying to answer
o State some specific questions that you plan to pursue—for example, some key questions
you might ask during an interview

Step 2: Literature review

o What have others learned that is relevant to your question?
o Evaluate the current body of knowledge reviewed, recognizing any limitations or
strengths of previous studies.

Step 3: Study design

o What type of methodology will you use? (interviews, focus groups, key informant
interviews, mixed methods)
o Who will be the population of interest? (eligibility criteria)
o IRB application, if indicated

Step 4: Data Collection

o Determine recruitment strategies
o Determine methods to maintain confidentiality of data & informed consent
o How will data be collected? (note taking, audio recording, transcriptions)
o Develop protocol for collecting information including guide questions and probes to
elicit informant responses

Step 5: Data analysis procedures

o Describe how you will go about coding information – how many coders, will they be
blinded, will it be an iterative process, how will discrepancies be handled?
o Describe how you will verify the accuracy of your findings - will you use a triangulation
approach? Key informants?

Step 6: Conclusions
o Summarize what you have learned from the study—your interpretation of the meaning
of your findings and their implications
o Discuss directions for further study

STFM 2015: Shih, Hatcher-Lee, Weidner

Software Analysis

Dedoose: www.dedoose.com; $12.95 per individual/month; student rates available as well as

cheaper rates for a group of users; accessible online, easy to collaborate, helpful support team

NVivo: www.qsrinternational.com/products_nvivo.aspx; NVivo 10 for Windows Full License

$670.00; student discounts available, offers free trials, software options for Mac and Windows
users

Atlas.ti: www.atlasti.com; Single User License $670.00; student discounts available, options for
Mac, Windows, and Android products, free trial available

References & resources

e-source Behavioral & Social Sciences Research. Website from the National Institutes of Health
and the Office of Behavioral & Social Sciences Research. http://www.esourceresearch.org
Accessed April 13, 2015.

Bernard HR, Ryan G. Analyzing Qualitative Data: Systematic Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Sage Publications; 2010.

Creswell JW, Klassen AC, Plano Clark VL, Smith KC. Best Practices for Mixed Methods Research
in the Health Sciences. Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, NIH; 2011.

Mack N, Woodsong C, MacQueen KM, Guest G, Namey E. Qualitative Research Methods: A

Data Collector’s Field Guide. Research Triangle Park, NC: Family Health International; 2005.

Jack SM. Utility of qualitative research findings in evidence-based public health practice. Public
Health Nursing. 2006; 23:277-283

Schifferdecker KD, Reed VA. Using mixed methods research in medical education: Basic
guidelines for researchers. Medical Education, 2009; 43: 637-644.

Morgan DL. Practical strategies for combining qualitative and quantitative methods:
applications to health research. Qual Health Res. 1998; 8(3):362-76.

STFM 2015: Shih, Hatcher-Lee, Weidner