Critically Evaluate Qualitative Research in Health and Social Care

This essay critically evaluates the contribution of qualitative research to evidence-based practice in health and social care. It begins by defining qualitative research as exploratory and emphasizing its role in understanding healthcare practices, particularly within social and natural sciences. The paper explores associated paradigms, highlighting the importance of interpretivist paradigms and philosophical frameworks such as ontology, epistemology, and methodology. It then discusses the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, detailing various data collection methods like observation, interviews, and document analysis, and explains the rationale behind selecting specific data collection tools. The essay also covers the advantages and disadvantages of the qualitative approach, emphasizing its value in the early stages of a study and its focus on social meaning. Ultimately, the essay concludes that proper analysis of qualitative research paradigms and appropriate selection of data collection tools are essential for achieving effective results in health and social care research. The essay uses various references to support its arguments.

Critically evaluate how qualitative
research contributes to evidence-
based practice in health and social
care.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH.........................................................................................................3
PARADIGMS ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITATIVE RESEARCH...........................................3
CONTRIBUTION TO EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE..............................................................4
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE.........................................4
TYPES OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS.............................................................................4
REASON TO SELECT DATA COLLECTION TOOL..................................................................5
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF QUALITATIVE APPROACH.........................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
As per the detailed study, it can be said that qualitative research is considered as
primarily exploratory research. With an assistance of the qualitative research the better
understanding in regard to subject can be development. In addition to this, it can be said that
through qualitative aspects the better research in regard to heath and social care subject can be
developed (Jackson, 2010). It has been witnessed that qualitative research allows to explore the
subject in descriptive manner that means key aspects related to health care practice can be
understand effectively. It is also beneficial for studies that are based on social science and natural
science.
PARADIGMS ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
In addition to this, it can be stated that qualitative research is involving number of
paradigms that are associated with study. In order to have effective accomplishment of the study
in respect to health and social care the researcher also need to analyze the qualitative research
paradigms in appropriate manner (Khan, 2011). Paradigms is considered as models or
frameworks that are derived from a worldview or belief system about the nature of knowledge
and existence. Paradigms are shared by a scientific community and guide how a community of
researchers act with regard to inquiry.
Along with this, it has been noticed that most of qualitative research are being
accomplished with an assistance of interpretivist paradigm. In order to analyze the key aspects
related to the health and social care the author can consider interpretivist paradigm as critical
aspect. Moreover, the paradigm are also classified as philosophy, ontology, epistemology and
methodology (Dey, 2002). It means for effective accomplishment of the qualitative research
study the authors need to make sure that they have selected accurate design and philosophy
which assist in meeting objectives.
There are different kinds of approaches that need to be consider as critical aspect in order
to accomplish objectives. Interpretivist and positivist are two key approaches that provide a
support to overall qualitative study. Nature of research also need to be consider as key
framework because it allows to gather better information in regard to health and social care.
Qualitative approaches were better suited to social inquiry, it means development of the research
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in regard to health and social care can also be accomplished with an assistance of qualitative
aspects (Crowther and Lancaster, 2012). Inductive and deductive approach of research also
provides a support to overall qualitative study. With an assistance of this, research problem can
be addressed in desired way.
CONTRIBUTION TO EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
It has been noticed that qualitative research helps in presenting the aim of study. For
example, key aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of health care practice with a help
of evidence based practice. Qualitative methods of study also provides a phenomena in
naturalistic settings (Pring, 2014). In addition to this, it can be stated that qualitative research
also provides an assistance to the study because it helps in answering the research questions.
In addition to this, it can be said that evidence practice in health and social care allows to
provide proper citation on data collection. It means the qualitative information presented in the
study is holding credibility that allows to improve overall performance. It will assist in attaining
better outcomes from the overall study.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE
Qualitative research allows to develop ideas and hypotheses for potential outcomes. In
this data collection is accomplished with help of unstructured and semi structured techniques.
Along with this, thematic approaches are being used in order to have data analysis. On the other
side, quantitative research is used to address the problem with an assistance of numerical data. It
means statistics plays a critical role in the study (Saunders and et. al., 2010). In this respect to
this study, the online survey, paper survey, interview are being used by researcher. For effective
data analysis the Spss and other statistical analysis tools are being used.
TYPES OF DATA COLLECTION METHODS
There are different methods of data collection which helps in effective accomplishment
of qualitative research. In addition to this, classification of methods can be as observation, in-
depth interview, group interview and collection of relevant documents. It means by having
improved focus on such aspects the data collection process can be accomplished effectively. In
qualitative research the interview is a form of discourse. It means by having interview with
respondents the issues can be discussed effectively. Moreover, observation and questionnaire
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allows to interpret the results effectively (Silverman, 2010). Questionnaire allows to ask
respondents about subject in more descriptive manner for sustainable development.
REASON TO SELECT DATA COLLECTION TOOL
It has been noticed that selection of data collection tool is significant because it allows to
have sustainable development. With an appropriate selection of data collection tool the better
explanation can be provided in the study. It helps in understand the key concept behind the
subject which is beneficial to draw better outcomes. It assists in understanding the view point of
audience of the study.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF QUALITATIVE APPROACH
Qualitative research is useful during the early stages of a study when the researcher may
be unsure of exactly what will be studied or what to focus on. On the other side, the disadvantage
of the qualitative research is that it is heavily involved in the process. Along with this, it provides
a subjective view point that might impact effectiveness of the study (Singh. 2010). Key
advantage of using qualitative research is that it helps in gaining more details so that descriptive
writing can be accomplished in desired manner. It also focuses on the social meaning which
affects the individuals and provide advantage in respect to social science.
CONCLUSION
As per above study, it can be concluded that in order to have effective accomplishment of
the study in respect to health and social care the researcher also need to analyze the qualitative
research paradigms in appropriate manner. By having appropriate selection of data collection
tool the descriptive writing can be accomplished in desired manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Crowther, D. and Lancaster, G., 2012. Research Methods. 2nd ed. Routledge.
Dey, C., 2002. Methodological issues: The use of critical ethnography as an active research
methodology. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal. 15(1). pp.106–121.
Jackson, S., 2010. Research Methods: A Modular Approach. Cengage Learning
Khan, A. J., 2011. Research Methodology. APH Publishing.
Pring, R., 2014. Philosophy of Educational Research. 3rd ed. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Saunders and et. al., 2010. Research Methods for Business Students. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
Silverman, D., 2010. Qualitative research. Sage.
Singh. K. Y., 2010. Research Methodology. APH Publishing.
Online
Definition of Research. 2013. [Online]. Available through: <http://explorable.com/definition-of-
research>. [Accessed on 26 Nov. 2016].
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