Dilemmas in qualitative health research
Dilemmas in qualitative health research
As the use of qualitative methods in health research proliferates, it becomes increasingly necessary to consider how the value of a piece of qualitative research should be assessed. This article discusses the problem posed by the novelty and diversity of qualitative approaches within health psychology and considers the question of what criteria are appropriate for assessing the validity of a qualitative analysis. In keeping with the ethos of much qualitative research, some open-ended, flexible principles are suggested as a guide to the quality of a qualitative study: sensitivity to context; commitment and rigour; transparency and coherence; impact and importance. Examples are given of the very different ways in which various forms of qualitative research can meet these criteria. © 2000 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Harwood Academic Publishers imprint, part of The Gordon and Breach Publishing Group.
Evaluation, Qualitative analysis, Qualitative methods, Validity
215-228
Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
1 November 2000
Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Abstract
As the use of qualitative methods in health research proliferates, it becomes increasingly necessary to consider how the value of a piece of qualitative research should be assessed. This article discusses the problem posed by the novelty and diversity of qualitative approaches within health psychology and considers the question of what criteria are appropriate for assessing the validity of a qualitative analysis. In keeping with the ethos of much qualitative research, some open-ended, flexible principles are suggested as a guide to the quality of a qualitative study: sensitivity to context; commitment and rigour; transparency and coherence; impact and importance. Examples are given of the very different ways in which various forms of qualitative research can meet these criteria. © 2000 OPA (Overseas Publishers Association) N.V. Published by license under the Harwood Academic Publishers imprint, part of The Gordon and Breach Publishing Group.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 1 November 2000
Keywords:
Evaluation, Qualitative analysis, Qualitative methods, Validity
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 508496
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508496
ISSN: 0887-0446
PURE UUID: debc6fa3-3b4f-4cfa-a69c-d1b329ce5ab2
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 23 Jan 2026 17:42
Last modified: 24 Jan 2026 02:38
Export record
Altmetrics
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
