Evidence-Based Medicine in Otolaryngology Part 17: A Qualitative Research Primer.

Abstract

As qualitative data analysis becomes more frequently applied within the fields of medicine and surgery, it is beneficial to expand our knowledge of the utility, methodology, and interpretation of these techniques. While qualitative research serves a distinct purpose and differs from quantitative research, both can be approached with diligence, with careful techniques that are similarly maintained and respected. In advance of this installment in the Evidence-Based Medicine in Otolaryngology series, we presented a comparison between qualitative and quantitative methods. To provide additional understanding of the specifics of qualitative research, this article presents further insights into qualitative research applications, theories, data collection methods, sources of and approaches to bias, and methods which support rigorous results.