A Concise Review on Qualitative Research in Dentistry
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Quantitative and Qualitative Research
3. Conducting a Qualitative Research
3.1. Identify the Research Topic and Define the Research Questions
3.2. Sampling Method
3.3. Data Collection
3.3.1. In-Depth Interview
3.3.2. Focus Group
3.3.3. Observation
3.4. Data Analysis
3.5. Reporting Qualitative Research
3.6. Ethical Consideration in Qualitative Research
4. Functions of Qualitative Research in Dentistry
4.1. Contextual
4.2. Explanatory
4.3. Evaluative
4.4. Generative
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Domain | Quantitative Research | Qualitative Research |
---|---|---|
Knowledge Acquisition | Deductive reasoning to confirm hypotheses | Inductive reasoning to explore phenomena |
Objective | Subjective | |
Analytical objectives | To quantify variation | To describe variation |
To predict causal relationships | To describe and explain relationships | |
To describe characteristics of a population | To describe individual experiences/group norms | |
Fixed | Allowing for refinement | |
Study design | Stable from beginning to end | Flexible and iterative |
Little interaction between participant and researcher | Frequent interaction between participant and researcher | |
Contextual factors are often eliminated in controlled studies | Context is essential in shaping meanings and explanations | |
Sampling | Probability sampling | Purposive sampling |
Representativeness of population | Diversity of population | |
Sample size determined by power calculation | Sample size determined by theoretical saturation | |
Methodology | Well-determined methods | Flexible methods |
Predetermined and rigid style of eliciting and categorizing responses | Flexible and iterative style of exploring emerging response | |
Largely depends on measurements device or instrument | Largely depends on the researcher’s skill and rigor | |
Data format | Numerical—assigning numerical values to responses | Textual—audiotapes, videotapes and field notes |
More breadth on numerous cases | More in-depth on a few cases | |
Data Analysis | Statistical tests | No statistical tests |
Analysis of variables | Analysis of themes | |
Value-free analysis | Shaped by researcher’s value | |
Output | Descriptive statistics | Detailed description, explanations, classifications and typologies |
Generalizability | Statistical generalization | Representational, inferential or theoretical generalization |
Data Collection Method | In-Depth Interview | Focus Group | Observation |
---|---|---|---|
Data generation | One-on-one interview | Group discussion | Systematic watching |
When to use | Exploring issues in depth and detail | Generating data shaped by group interaction | Exploring what actually happens |
Exploring complex processes and issues | Displaying a social context | Observing naturally occurring and subconscious behaviours | |
Exploring private issues or subjects | When creative thinking is required | Exploring public behaviours with environment involvement | |
Study population | For participants less willing or able to travel | For participants willing and able to travel | For participants who will be engaged in a public setting |
Where the participants are geographically dispersed | Where the participants are geographically clustered | Where the participants interact in a particular setting | |
Where the participants are highly diverse | Where the participants have some common ground | ||
Recording method | Fieldnotes | Fieldnotes | Fieldnotes |
Audiotapes | Audiotapes | Diagrams | |
Audio-video tapes | Audio-video tapes | Visual records |
Step | In-Depth Interview | Focus Group | Observation |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Arrival and introduction | Setting scenes and grounded rules | Site arrangement |
2 | Research introduction | Individual introduction | Identifying the participants |
3 | Beginning the interview | Opening topic discussion | Collecting background information |
4 | During the interview | During the discussion | During the observation |
5 | Ending the interview | Ending the discussion | Closing the observation |
6 | Post interview | Post discussion | Post observation notes |
Examples of Studies | Domain | Objectives of the Studies | Data Collection | Data Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|
Contextual Functio | ||||
Zhang et al., 2018 [29] | Defining dimensions | To explore traditional oral health beliefs among the Bulang ethnic minority group in China | Focus groups | Thematic analysis |
Shahnavaz et al., 2015 [30] | Describing features | To explore how children with dental anxiety and their parents experience cognitive behavioral therapy in dentistry | In-depth interview | Thematic analysis |
Emami et al., 2014 [31] | Exploring meaning | To explore how residents in rural Quebec perceive their oral health and their access to dental care | Semi-structured interviews | Thematic analysis |
Stein et al., 2019 [32] | Mapping typologies | Explore caregivers’ and dentists’ approaches to improve oral care for children with autism | Focus group | Thematic analysis |
Explanatory Function | ||||
Moore et al., 2004 [33] | Factors underline a particular perception | To seek the contributing role of embarrassment to phobic dental anxiety | In-depth interview | Framework analysis |
Liu et al., 2019 [34] | Motivations lead to decisions | To identify barriers to and motivators for dental care-seeking behaviours of pregnant women | Semi-structured interviews | Thematic analysis |
Muirhead et al.,2013 [35] | Origins of experiences | To understand why low-income parents may underutilize free dental services. | In-depth interview | Thematic analysis |
Zeraatkar et al., 2019 [36] | Contexts in which phenomena occur | To investigate children’s quality of life in the context of living with cleft lip and palate | In-depth interview | Thematic analysis |
Evaluative Function | ||||
Ajwani et al., 2019 [37] | Formative evaluation | To undertake a process evaluation and explore the perceptions of dental professionals involved in the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Dental Service | Focus groups | Framework analysis |
Mariño et al., 2005 [38] | Summative evaluation | To evaluate an oral health promotion program for older migrant adults | Focus groups | Thematic analysis |
Generative Function | ||||
Bedos et al., 2003 [39] | Developing concepts or hypotheses | To investigate the dental care pathway of welfare recipients in Quebec | In-depth interview | Thematic analysis |
Luo et al., 2018 [40] | Generating strategies or solutions | To develop an instrument to assess dental satisfaction | Focus groups | Thematic analysis |
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Chai, H.H.; Gao, S.S.; Chen, K.J.; Duangthip, D.; Lo, E.C.M.; Chu, C.H. A Concise Review on Qualitative Research in Dentistry. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 942. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030942
Chai HH, Gao SS, Chen KJ, Duangthip D, Lo ECM, Chu CH. A Concise Review on Qualitative Research in Dentistry. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18(3):942. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030942
Chicago/Turabian StyleChai, Hollis Haotian, Sherry Shiqian Gao, Kitty Jieyi Chen, Duangporn Duangthip, Edward Chin Man Lo, and Chun Hung Chu. 2021. "A Concise Review on Qualitative Research in Dentistry" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 3: 942. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030942