From theory to practice in health research Dr Elizabeth M Morrow, Independent Researcher, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

Objectives Theory and practice of (qualitative) research design Basic terminology Link theory, methodology & methods Try out approaches with topics that matter to you

“You got an Ology?” Axiology: personal values Ontology: the nature of existence/reality Epistemology: what knowledge is Methodology: ways of creating knowledge

Theoretical perspective Epistemological Tree Methods Techniques used to gather and analyse the data Methodology Theory of how research should proceeded Theory of knowledge construction (paradigm) Theoretical perspective Theory of what knowledge is Epistemology

Methodologies Ethnography Phenomenology Grounded theory Action Research Discourse Analysis

Ethnography Epistemology: observed/communicated behaviour Theoretical perspective: identify cultural and social meanings Methodology: interaction (emic), communication, observation Methods : field work, associated with anthropology “What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things”. Margaret Mead (1901-1978)

Phenomenology Epistemology: lived experience of being Theoretical perspective: identify ‘actor’s’ perspectives of a phenomena Methodology: questioning, listening, observation (bracketing) Methods : interviews, discussion Martin Heidegger (1889-1976) Edmond Husserl (1859-1938) “The true foundation of philosophy lies in one’s concrete worldly existence” “Researchers can overcome their subjective experience of being” The researcher

Grounded Theory Epistemology: knowledge (theory) can be generated Theoretical perspective: combine and compare perspectives Methodology: constant comparison technique, coding, theoretical saturation Methods: “all is data” theoretical sample Anselm Strauss (1916 – 1996) Barney Glaser (1930 – ) Systematic - cause, conditions, phenomena, action strategies and consequences Induction - theories should be abstract of time, place and people Coding practice

Discourse Analysis Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984) Epistemology: knowledge is socially constructed and is linked to power Theoretical perspective: identify main discourses and statements Methodology: Archaeology (historical), Genealogy (power in action) Methods: discursive texts – written by and for disciplines/society “Systems of thoughts composed of ideas, attitudes, courses of action, beliefs and practices that systematically construct the subjects and the worlds of which they speak” Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984)

Action Research Epistemology: knowledge is information that helps to bring about change Theoretical perspective: co-construction of solutions to problems Methodology: Progressive process of reflection and action – problem solving Methods: community of practice, views and ideas, participation Kurt Lewin (1890 – 1947)

Activity 1: Small Group Task 1. Identify a topic of interest 2. Use the epistemological tree 3. Choose a methodology 4. Explain why this methodology is an appropriate fit for researching your topic of interest

Theoretical perspective Activity 1: Epistemological tree 4. What techniques will be used to gather and analyse the data? Methods 3. What will guide how you go about it? Methodology 2. How will you build/create/establish/identify knowledge? Theoretical perspective 1. What is knowledge? Epistemology

Methodology Ethnography Focuses on the sociology of meaning through close field observation of socio-cultural phenomena. Typically, the ethnographer focuses on a community. Phenomenology Describes the structures of experience as they present themselves to consciousness, without recourse to theory, deduction, or assumptions from other disciplines. Grounded Theory Theory is developed inductively from a corpus of data acquired by a participant-observer. Data are subject to constant comparison until a point of theoretical saturation is achieved. Discourse Analysis The study of (big-D) language use beyond the boundaries of a sentence/utterance and interrelationships between language and society, or (small-d) the interactive or dialogic properties of everyday communication. Action Research A reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals working with others in teams or as part of a community of practice to improve the way they address issues and solve problems.

Reflexivity Intertwined through whole research process What personal, interpersonal and contextual factors are in operation? How are they influencing what is said and done, or not said and done? Tools: field note book, team discussions, memos, reflection exercises

Summary Epistemology – provides a way of looking at the world but also frames what you see Methodology - interrelated and iterative ‘growth’ rather than linear process Reflexivity - can support and explain judgements and influences

References Bowling A. (2002) Research Methods in Health. Coffey A. and Atkinson P. (1996) Making sense of qualitative data London Sage Denzin N. and Lincoln Y. (2000) Handbook of Qualitative Research, Sage. Fetterman D. (1998) Ethnography London Sage. Foucault M. (2006 edition) The Archaeology of Knowledge. London Routledge. Foucault M. (1961) The Order of Things: An Archeology of the Human Sciences. Routledge. Gerrish K. & Lacey A. (2006) The Research Process in Nursing. Green J. Thorogood N. (2004) Qualitative Methods for Health Research. Silverman D. (2000) Doing qualitative research, London Sage Taylor S. and Bogdan R. (1984). Introduction to qualitative research methods: The search for meanings. New York: John Wiley & Sons.