Title: Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data | Epidemic Intelligence Service | CDC
Headings: Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data
Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data
Introduction
Qualitative Research During the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks in Parts of West Africa (2014)
Choosing When to Apply Qualitative Methods
Examples of research topics for which qualitative methods should be considered for field investigations
Commonly Used Qualitative Methods in Field Investigations
Semi-Structured Interviews
Individual In-Depth Interviews and Key-Informant Interviews
Focus Group Discussions and Group Key Informant Interviews
Identifying Barriers and Solutions to Improved Healthcare Worker Practices in Egypt
Visualization Methods
Sampling and Recruitment for Qualitative Research
Selecting a Sample of Study Participants
Determining Sample Size
Recruiting Study Participants
Managing, Condensing, Displaying, and Interpreting Qualitative Data
Managing Qualitative Data
Condensing Qualitative Data
Displaying Qualitative Data
Drawing and Verifying Conclusions
Coding and Analysis Requirements
Conclusion
References

Content: The combination of purposive sampling and open-ended question formats deprive qualitative study designs of the power to quantify and generalize conclusions, one of the key limitations of this approach. Qualitative scientists might argue, however, that the generalizability and precision possible through probabilistic sampling and categorical outcomes are achieved at the cost of enhanced validity, nuance, and naturalism that less structured approaches offer ( 3 ). Open-ended techniques are particularly useful for understanding subjective meanings and motivations underlying behavior. They enable investigators to be equally adept at exploring factors observed and unobserved, intentions as well as actions, internal meanings as well as external consequences, options considered but not taken, and unmeasurable as well as measurable outcomes. These methods are important when the source of or solution to a public health problem is rooted in local perceptions rather than objectively measurable characteristics selected by outside observers ( 3 ). Ultimately, such approaches have the ability to go beyond quantifying questions of how much or how many to take on questions of how or why from the perspective and in the words of the study subjects themselves ( 1,2 ). Another key advantage of qualitative methods for field investigations is their flexibility ( 4 ). Qualitative designs not only enable but also encourage flexibility in the content and flow of questions to challenge and probe for deeper meanings or follow new leads if they lead to deeper understanding of an issue (5). It is not uncommon for topic guides to be adjusted in the course of fieldwork to investigate emerging themes relevant to answering the original study question. As discussed herein, qualitative study designs allow flexibility in sample size to accommodate the need for more or fewer interviews among particular groups to determine the root cause of an issue (see the section on Sampling and Recruitment in Qualitative Research).