Qualitative methods add quality to cardiovascular science

Qualitative research methods are systematic approaches to knowledge development that do not involve quantification. Such methods are used widely in nursing to understand the lived experience and the socioeconomic contexts of cardiovascular health and illness. The evolution of qualitative methods through three phases - traditional, modern and postmodern - frames the discussion. Three common qualitative methods - ethnography, phenomenology and grounded theory - are presented. Applications of qualitative methods have contributed to an understanding of such phenoma as adjustment after myocardial infarction, the experience of an acute cardiac event, the experience of chronic heart disease, the family and the cardiac illness experience, family adjustment to heart transplantation, physical activity practices of working women and family influence on individual health-related decisions in response to heart health intiatives. Postmodern approaches are briefly discussed. Participatory research is presented as an example of a postmodern approach to knowledge development. It is posited that interdisciplinary and multimethod cardiovascular research programs that incorporate qualitative methods will strengthen knowledge development in the cardiovascular field by contributing to an understanding of complex issues related to cardiovascular health and illness for individual persons, families, communities and populations, and to program and policy development.