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The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Using theory in qualitative research
Qualitative Health Research Collaboration (QHeRC)
12 May 2009
Julie LeaskSenior Research Fellow, NCIRS
Conjoint Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine, USYD
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Summary
9.30 Presentation and discussion of two articles on theory
10.20 Researchers using theory Stacy Carter Charlotte Rees
11.15 morning tea
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Aims of session
To review what some qualitative researchers are saying;
to explore the advantages and disadvantages of using theory;
to better understand how theory is used in grounding the assumptions of a study enriching findings; making recommendations useful
to share ways of sourcing appropriate theories/frameworks.
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Case project
Impact of quarantine for suspected swine flu psychological emotional social/occupational infection control behaviours usefulness of
information/support
Pictures from
http://www.bjtonline.com/more-inside-bjt/tips-for-travelers/s/article/catch-a-bug-abroad-quarantineas-a-possibility-376.html
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/isolation-michael-endo-g3494.jpg
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Article 1
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Why theory is useful
Theories provide complex and comprehensive conceptual understandings of things that cannot be pinned down: how societies work, how organisations operate, why people interact in certain ways.
Theories give researchers different lenses to look at problems focus attention provide framework for analysis
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Macro level theories non specific, abstract hard to operationalise verify on empirical basis
Mid-range theories more specific fewer concepts reduced range of contexts
Micro-level theory narrowest range of interest specific phenomena/context
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Critical thoery Roots in work of Karl Marx, more recently Foucault etc Critiquing and changing society Organisation of power and knowledge Equality in relation to age, race, SES, religion, sexuality etc.
Interactionism Collective behaviours and perceptions Examines symbols used in daily encounters, esp language Herbert Blumer
Act towards things on basis of meanings things have for them Meaning derived from social interaction Meanings handled/modified via interpretive process used by the person
Phenomenology Edmund Husserl; how individuals give meaning to social phenomena in their everyday
lives; subjective “lived” experience.
macro
micro
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
How are theories and methodologies related? Some historically related eg, same
discipline, often taught together eg, interactionism and ethnography.
Other theories linked to multiple methodologies eg, critical theory
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Article 2
Aust N Z J Public Health 2007; 31:438-43.
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
What is social theory?
The social context of human actions; Relatively recent – post revolutionary France and
Europe “the state”, “the people”, “society”.
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Why social theory?
Qualitative methods – developed by social sciences
used increasingly in nursing, medicine, etc; researchers feeling constrained by quantitative
methods can see qualitative research as “attractive option”
common approach identifying a setting conducting personal interviews reporting with extensive and evocative quotations
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Why theory?
Above approach can deliver interesting insights does not demand extensive training in social sciences
Issue of generalisability to other groups / settings to aid decision making
Theory essential to rigour in design, implementation and analysis of research
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Why theory?
“Knowledge of social theory is as important to high-quality qualitative research as knowledge of statistics is to the conduct of good epidemiological studies”
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Some theories
1. Conflict theory
2. Structural functionalism
3. Symbolic interactionism
4. Sociology of knowledge theories
5. Feminist theories
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Symbolic interactionism
Blumer – social interaction underpins the process of learning who we are and the symbolic meaning of things;
Eg, women and physicians negotiate touch during vaginal examination
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Symbolic interactionism
Erving Goffman applied SI to stigmaAbnormal in body, character or social group
made to feel ashamed, disrupted, spoiled social identity;
Adapt by hiding/covering stigma to pass as normal or…
Join a social group of like individuals.
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Example of using theory in research design
Obese patients as “non-compliant” Symbolic interactionism: Those who hide
‘spoiled; identities v attending ‘fat friendly’ venues
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
MACRO THEORIES Constructionism: debates in different settings Conflict theory: Working class/middle class Structural functionalism: Access to healthy food Feminism: Men/women – gender roles
not simply a demographically varied
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Case
How might we use symbolic interactionism to better understand the impact of quarantine?
http://sphtc.org/timeline/1900-2.jpg
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Analysis
Categorising first data according to theoretical concepts;
assessed for relevance; Review theory/sample as required
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
How social theory structures a research problem
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Drawing research conclusions
No easy way of summarising findings “Boxed sets of interview quotes appear to
be an attractive way of avoiding word length restrictions but seldom amount to analysis, let alone a theoretically informed analysis”
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Recommendations
High quality qualitative research depends on flexible use of theory for its rigour;
this requires considerable skill; not easily acquired; researchers should have basic understanding; better alternative is team research including a
social theorist
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Questions
Does close adherence to theory in analysis become merely a theory confirming exercise? conscribe the mind of the researcher? stifle analytic creativity? limit potential for new insights to emerge?
Must we use only one theory? If multiple, how can we avoid being superficial given publishing word
limits? How do we take theoretically informed conclusions to help inform
policy and practice? Is there a difference in the final product? If Willis et al are right, how do we find good theories/social
theorists?
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Case
To study the impact of quarantine on the individual
Phenomenology Symbolic
interactionism
Case – pertinent questions for the applied researcher.
Dilemma ThoughtsWhat to read/who to consult? Where is the theory supermarket?
Other theories? Conflict theory
Metaphor
Risk
But will that ‘crowd’ the analysis
How does theory change the design? Stigma – interviewing after completion
Phenomenology – daily journal
How will theory/methodology assist in drawing helpful policy and practice conclusions?
?
Will a theoretically informed report resonate with our intended audience?
?
The University
of SydneyNCIRS National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance
Further reading
Carter SM, Little M. Justifying knowledge, justifying method, taking action: epistemologies, methodologies and methods in qualitative research. Qualitative Health Research 2007; 17(10): 1316-1328.
