The Use of Vignettes in Grounded Theory Methodology

Maria Douka

Fifth Annual Regional Social Work PhD Seminar‘Doing Social Work Research’

Sheffield, 4th July 2014

Definition Use of vignettes Vignettes in the context of GT Examples Limitations of vignettes Conclusion

Structure of presentation

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Vignettes are heavily abbreviated case studies of a hypothetical nature

They describe a situation in which participants have to build up

their answers

Definition

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To break the ice between the researcher and the participant

To tap into the participants’ thoughts and feelings

To stimulate the discussion and maximise participants’ ability to provide information

To describe situations that happen in the respondent’s personal/working lives

To establish ways to pool information in a diverse research topic

Why to use vignettes?

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As a method to keep participants more focused on the subject

The R avoids asking leading questions

The R avoids passive behaviour of participants

The R avoids suspicions that the researcher covertly conducting a regulatory inspection

Why to use vignettes?

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As a technique to study sensitive situations

As a way to express personal opinions of subjects that are considered too difficult for direct answers

As a method when participants have no direct experience and knowledge of the area of study

Why to use vignettes?

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Title of my research project:

‘Continuity of Care for People with Mental Health Problems: The role of Social Workers’

Methodology: Grounded Theory

Methods: Vignettes and semi-structure

interviews

Participants: Social Workers

Research carried out in Greece

Vignettes and grounded theory

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Reasons to use vignettes: Lack of knowledge or theoretical

background on CoC of social workers

Providing critique on policy issues e.g. Psychiatric reforms under the financial crisis

Vignettes and grounded theory

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Related research articles:

a. Long-Sutehall, Willis H., Palmer R., Ugboma D., Addington-Hall J.,

Coombs M., (2011), Negotiated dying: A grounded theory of how nurses

shape withdrawal of treatment in hospital critical care units,

International Journal of Nursing Studies, 48:1466-1474

The project was about the views of nurses on

withdrawal of treatment for the dying patient

b. Kennedy TJ, Regehr G, Currie R. and E., Ross-Baker G., Lingard L,

(2009), Preserving professional credibility: grounded theory study

of medical trainees’ requests for clinical support, British Medical

Journal, available at:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2640114

The need for clinical support, requested by medical trainees from their

supervisors

Vignettes and grounded theory

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John is a 54-year-old man who lives alone. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was young. He is currently hospitalised after a serious acute episode. He informed the social worker that he has no place to live as he has not paid the rent on his house for months, and that soon he will be homeless.

The social worker has to inform him about what care options are appropriate for him.

Example

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What “type of care” should a social worker provide for this patient? OR

How you think a social worker would respond to this patients’ needs?

The “should” and “would” questions

Asking indirect questions is a less threatening and intimidating approach for the respondents

Example of questions

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Participants may express their views in a “socially desirable” way

There is distance between the vignette and social reality

Actions and beliefs might be different from those described in the vignette

Limitations of vignettes

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Vignettes should not be used as a stand alone method but as a complementary method

Vignettes are less threatening approach to interviews

Vignettes can be used to pool sensitive information on a subject

Conclusion

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Thank you!

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