Nursing Practice Research question Qualitative methods

Both methods look at real life situations other data and look for contradictory cases, which might challenge the Phenomenologists collate data from emerging theory but will ultimately individuals and describe their experiences strengthen it. This complex process of the- Grounded theorists compare and oretical sampling, data collection and analyse data from many sources analysis can be extremely challenging. Neither method will suit all studies Evolution Both methodologies have evolved. Glaser and Strauss collaborated on the early development of grounded theory but, as it developed, they separated, developed their Q own ideas and became critical of each oth- er’s ideas. As a result there are now mul- tiple approaches to grounded theory. Opinions have also diverged on phe- nomenology. Some favour a Husserlian approach, with its emphasis is on descrip- tion; others prefer a Heideggerian approach, with its emphasis on analysis and attempting to explain what is hap- pening. Fortunately, good textbooks can aid methodological decision-making (see &A further reading). Both grounded theorists and phenome- nologists seek to understand people’s lives. In brief, grounded theorists and phe- Either approach usually gives researchers Q What is the nomenologists both seek to explore indi- the tools they need. Grounded theory and viduals’ experiences in the context of the phenomenology are research tools and worlds in which they live. neither is suited to all jobs. NT difference Their differences might not be impor- tant for those reading qualitative research, Leslie Gelling is reader in nursing, Faculty between but it is for those carrying it out. A good of Health and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin starting point is their philosophical and University, Cambridge grounded theoretical bases and influences. If you have a research question, email it to theory and Differences [email protected], putting Research question Phenomenology emerged from philos- in the subject box ophy, primarily influenced by Edmund phenomenology? Husserl and Martin Heidegger; it aims Further reading to describe and explore experiences and Parahoo K (2006) Qualitative research. In: Parahoo K Nursing Research: Principles, Process is undertaken by collecting data from and Issues. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Grounded theory and phenome- individuals who have lived through Holloway I, Todres L (2010) Grounded theory. In: A nology are the most common them. Hence phenomenologists often Gerrish K, Lacey A (eds) The Research Process in approaches to qualitative research used by refer to the “lived experience”. Data is often Nursing. Oxford: Blackwell. Todres L, Holloway I (2010) Phenomenological nurses. While there are differences between limited to interviews, while findings are research. In: Gerrish K, Lacey A (eds) The them, they have much in common. descriptions of the experience, drawing Research Process in Nursing. Oxford: Blackwell on characteristics identified during data Publishing. Similarities analysis. Both approaches are used when the Grounded theory developed in soci- researcher seeks to explore real-life situa- ology. It was first described by Barney tions, and require a high degree of interac- Glaser and Anselm Strauss as a qualitative tion between the researcher and the indi- methodological approach that aimed to vidual, group or situation being examined. generate a “grounded theory” to describe Both take an interpretivist approach. and explain a phenomenon. Unlike phe- Both grounded theorists and phenome- nomenologists, grounded theorists seek nologists seek to collect and analyse to include all data sources that might data from participants’ perspectives and contribute to theory development. Inter- try to ensure their findings are not influ- views are commonly used; observations, enced by preconceived ideas. To achieve diaries, images, past literature and this, they often involve participants research might also be included. Using a in data analysis to make findings more “constant comparison” technique, they trustworthy. compare all the data collected with all

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