Pdf of Talk given on Qualitative Research at Research Methodology workshop of Dr.BVP RMC, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni by Dr. Mandar Baviskar

1. DR MANDAR P BAVISKAR, MD

2.  Know what a Qualitative study is
 Enlist types, characteristics and uses of Qualitative study designs
 Know difference between quantitative and qualitative data
 Understand Steps in conducting
1. In depth Interview
2. Focus Group Discussions
 Know that at Pravara Help is always available to those who ask for it

3.  Finds out how and why an event/phenomenon occurred and when
did it occur
 Does not answer questions like in how many individuals.
 Carried out in a small group
 Helps to do a rapid assessment of the situation.
 Exploratory: Helps Formulate Hypothesis initially
 Helps understand human behaviour, culture, practices
 Helps understand conflict situation in human society
Commonly used in
Sociology
Example: Why do couples choose Tubectomy more commonly over Vasectomy

4.  In depth Interviews (Stakeholders interviewed to gain deeper insights)
 Focus Group Discussions (Small group discussions observed to isolate themes)
 Ethnography (Study a group to get larger understanding of their lives)
 Phenomenology (Identify and study the shared experiences of a phenomenon)
 Grounded Theory (Develop a theory that explains a specific phenomenon)
• Participatory:
Observer takes active part, action based research
• Non-participatory:
Observer does not get involved in the affairs

5. Quantitative Data Qualitative Data
Numerical Textual
Objective Subjective
Etic Emic
Deductive (testing) Inductive (understanding)
Ensure Repeatability, Reliability Ensure Credibility Interpretation
Uniform Application of Collection method Abstraction

6.  Open Ended Interviews
 Discover what the topic means to the
person being interviewed.
 Have a Non-Judgemental Attitude
 Rich, context driven insights
 Technique
 Follows Interview Guide
 Probing & Laddering
 When to use?
 Complex subject matter
 Knowledgeable respondent
 Sensitive Subject
 Dispersed Respondents
 Peer pressure or Social Stigma a threat

7. Do you tend to smoke more while working or
when relaxed?
 I smoke more when I am working usually on
my laptop.
Why do you smoke when you work on your
laptop?
 It clears my head, I can work faster, otherwise
I get a headache & can’t concentrate.
Do you think if the concentration & headache
were not an issue you might smoke less?
 Maybe…
Would you be willing to try some medication
that will help you with this?
 Yes

8.  There was breathless at times. I also noticed that I had chest
discomfort which was more when I work. I had no choice but
to smoke again.(P 51)
 That actual problem is our mind, the brain… because why,
you know? When we are not smoking, the brain will tell you:
‘There are other smokers there, could you ask him for one
cigarette? (P 37)
 …because for smoker, you feel that something is missing. So,
you tend to ask for a stick. Ask for a stick, you know.Then
from then starts again.Two sticks… (P 41)
I mingled with friends who are all smokers. So, if I am the only
person who has the plan to stop smoking and mix with friends
who are still smoking, that is why… I don’t have any choice. (P11)
…Stopped 1–2 months, I felt more tired…If I didn’t smoke, I was
not able to open my bowel, I became constipated……If I smoked
at night, I slept better. (P 31)

9. Advantages
 Gives ‘why’ of the behaviour/practice
 Data on how people think & act
 Key words & areas to focus on
 Insider perspective
Disadvantages
 Based on few people. Selection Bias
 Non generalizable
 Time consuming
 Interviewer Bias

10.  Open Ended Group Interviews
 Promote discussion between
audience
 Usually 6-8 similar participants
 Moderator and Note taker
 4-5 broad questions to guide
conversation
 When to use?
 When group interaction is important
 Cost & Time saving
 Generating Ideas
 Problem/Goal Identification
 Identify local dynamics, terminology
 Evaluating messaging

12. Themes Sub Themes Responses
Positive
Behaviours
Active Daily Life We are active.We do our own daily work well.
Willingness to listen Doctors tell for our good only.Willingness to act (?)
Negative
Behaviours
Addictions Tobacco chewing and alcohol consumption is part of life.We are too used to it.
No Foot Care We don’t have any special footwear or take any precautions regarding foot care
Barriers In
Self Care
Lack of knowledge and
awareness
We take all the medicines but we don’t know what else to do except reduce sweets
Family circumstances Who will take us to hospital so frequently and give special treatment?
Others have work too.
Depression/
Lack of supportive care
It is going to be this way only.
Felt Needs Family Diet Planning and
Family Counselling
You tell my daughter in law what to cook and how to cook. She does the cooking.
Access to health care Elderly cannot travel to get medications
Home based care/ Follow up Would be great if we get care at home or some other reminders for check up

14. Advantages
 Group Discussion
 Idea exchange & development
 Gives more data in short time
 Understanding of Social Norms
Disadvantages
 Introverts may not contribute
 Non generalizable
 Not suitable for sensitive topics
 Transcribing a challenge
 Group dynamics affect opinions

15. Ethnography Phenomenology Grounded Theory Content Analysis
• Description of peoples
& cultures (customs,
habits, differences)
• Become a part of the
community- GO
NATIVE
• Observe, reflect &
narrate
• Study of Lived
experience.
• Interview participants
until Saturation.
• Prior Bracketing of
own biases.
• Horizontalization 
Clustering
• Describe Texture,
Structure & Essence of
the experience.
• Coding text of
transcripts into
categories.
• Finds relation between
categories.
• Build models.
• Theoretical
Framework
• Set of codes &
variables
• Systematically applied
to text
• Variable matrix
analysis

16. FIND THE TRUTH HIDDEN
BEHIND THE SMOKE…
FIND THE CAUSE OF
CAUSES