Qualitative research methodologies: application, Part II

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how selected qualitative research methods can be used by PACU nurses to study research problems applicable to their area. The qualitative methods discussed in this article are phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, and case study. Research questions of interest to the PACU nurse are presented, and the steps for structuring the study, collecting and analyzing the data, and reporting the findings are described. A bibliography for each method is presented in boxes throughout the article.