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Whatever happened to qualitative description?

M Sandelowski1

  • 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, #7640, Carrington Hall, School of Nursing, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Research in Nursing & Health
|August 15, 2000
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Qualitative description offers a direct approach to summarizing phenomena in everyday terms. This method is ideal for researchers seeking straightforward descriptions of events and experiences.

Area of Science:

  • Qualitative Research Methodology
  • Descriptive Research Design

Background:

  • The perception of descriptive research as a lower-level inquiry impacts qualitative research practices.
  • Some researchers misrepresent their methods, avoiding the claim of qualitative description.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the distinct nature and utility of qualitative description as a research method.
  • To advocate for the appropriate use and recognition of qualitative description.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative descriptive studies prioritize comprehensive summaries in the participants' own terms.
  • Researchers maintain proximity to the data, focusing on surface-level words and events.
  • Designs integrate eclectic sampling, data collection, analysis, and re-presentation techniques.

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Main Results:

  • Qualitative description provides a method for comprehensive summarization of phenomena.
  • The approach involves staying close to the data and using everyday language.
  • It offers a flexible combination of research techniques.

Conclusions:

  • Qualitative description is the preferred method when direct, straightforward descriptions are needed.
  • Accurate identification and application of qualitative description are crucial in research.
  • This method ensures that research findings are presented in the most accessible and relevant manner.