ABSTRACT
The robustness of qualitative research is often judged according to the same criteria as are used to evaluate quantitative research, including
●● Reliability-the degree to which the collection of data in a study was consistent and repeatable
●● Validity-how well a study’s ndings represent the ‘true’ state of affairs
●● Generalisability-the extent to which the ndings from one setting can be applied to another
Many types of scientic studies generate quantitative data about an issue. For example, a study might measure the proportion of people affected by a condition who have a particular risk factor. Sometimes, however, the information required to answer a question pertains more to the character of an issue, rather than to any numerical value. Qualitative methods aim to explore this second type of inquiry (i.e. those that relate to the kind or the quality of things). These methods are used for answering how, what, or why questions. For example, qualitative research questions in public health include the following:
Many public health specialists will be involved in conducting qualitative research to inform service development; others will be involved in commissioning or appraising such research. Therefore, whether or not they engage in such research themselves, all public health specialists require some knowledge of qualitative methods and their appropriate use in an applied health context.
