An overview of the qualitative descriptive design within nursing research

Journal of Research in Nursing - Tập 25 Số 5 - Trang 443-455 - 2020
Louise Doyle1, Catherine McCabe2, Brian Keogh3, Anne‐Marie Brady4, Margaret McCann5
1Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
2Associate Professor in General Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
3Assistant Professor in Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
4Chair of Nursing and Chronic Illness, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
5Assistant Professor in General Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Tóm tắt

Background Qualitative descriptive designs are common in nursing and healthcare research due to their inherent simplicity, flexibility and utility in diverse healthcare contexts. However, the application of descriptive research is sometimes critiqued in terms of scientific rigor. Inconsistency in decision making within the research process coupled with a lack of transparency has created issues of credibility for this type of approach. It can be difficult to clearly differentiate what constitutes a descriptive research design from the range of other methodologies at the disposal of qualitative researchers. Aims This paper provides an overview of qualitative descriptive research, orientates to the underlying philosophical perspectives and key characteristics that define this approach and identifies the implications for healthcare practice and policy. Methods and results Using real-world examples from healthcare research, the paper provides insight to the practical application of descriptive research at all stages of the design process and identifies the critical elements that should be explicit when applying this approach. Conclusions By adding to the existing knowledge base, this paper enhances the information available to researchers who wish to use the qualitative descriptive approach, influencing the standard of how this approach is employed in healthcare research.

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Thông tin
Thông tin xuất bản

Journal of Research in Nursing

Tập 25 Số 5

443-455

Thông tin tác giả