Qualitative research in health: a reflective approach

Abstract

EDITORIALQualitative research makes possible the development of health knowledge, because it works with complex phenomena whose totality, besides depth, depends on the intensity. For Minayo, the objective of the qualitative research is to make explicit data, indicators, verified trends and/or construct theoretical models applicable to practice. Therefore, its purpose is to study history, representations, relationships, beliefs, perceptions and opinions, representing the result of the interpretations that subjects construct about the production and reproduction of their lives (1) .Qualitative and quantitative research is diverse in nature, but complements. One treats of the magnitude of the phenomena, and the other of its intensity. One seeks what is repeated, being treated in its homogeneity, and the other, singularities and meanings (2) . In a reflexive approach, Taquette insists that qualitative research in health develops, but still shy of its potential. At the international level, qualitative research stands out as a producer of knowledge that subsidizes the clinical practice of nurses (3) . It is appropriate for the understanding of phenomena within their intervention context, establishing connections between concepts, representations, beliefs and behaviors, respecting intersubjectivity. It is also observed how contradictory is the low productivity of studies using the qualitative approach as a method.There is a challenge to develop qualitative research capable of placing this type of research at a level suitable to converge in parallel with quantitative research. Although they are hegemonic in health, it establishes for us, researchers, and expressively translates the potential of qualitative research to the possibilities of greater access to edicts to foster research and to an increase in publication in journals.Furthermore, this edition brings together articles from the Ibero-American Congress on Qualitative Research (CIAIQ -Congresso Ibero-Americano em Pesquisa Qualitativa) held in Fortaleza State, Brazil, in 2018, in search of greater visibility to qualitative research in health. It also presents studies that address the researchers' perception about the development of health research, from a qualitative perspective, using different approaches and techniques of approach and analysis, in different practice settings. Thus, they reveal the object, objectives, method's theoretical frameworks and approach forms with the object in the qualitative perspective.A recent book addresses data analysis in qualitative health research. It points out that data analysis techniques advocate that doing science is working simultaneously with theory, method and techniques, in a perspective where this tripod is mutually conditional. Also, they warn that the way of doing depends on what the object demands and the response to the object depends on the assertiveness of questions, instruments, and strategies used in collecting the data/findings (4) .This statement underlies that qualitative research is an inter and transdiscipl...

Integration in nursing education projects for the translation of knowledge: A qualitative study

“…A opção por um estudo de natureza qualitativa que é utilizado para compreender as crenças, experiências, atitudes, comportamentos e interações das pessoas, fundamenta-se pela sua capacidade de acrescentar uma nova dimensão ao conhecimento que não pode ser obtido apenas através da medição de variáveis, trazendo para a ciência a compreensão da experiência e do envolvimento dos participantes nos estudos (Pathak, et al, 2013), porque os métodos qualitativos trabalham com fenómenos complexos, cuja totalidade, para além da profundidade, tem a dependência da intensidade (Oliveira, Baixinho, & Presado, 2019).…”

The place of qualitative research in Evidence-Based Practice

“…Most of these studies are essentially related to technical interventions/procedures. Such procedures are referred to as best practices, but in reality they do not exhaust all clinical activity (1,(3)(4) , and do not allow citizen-centered care.…”

“…With the increase in qualitative research produced, there is a lack (from production, recommendations and transfer of evidence) of products, strategies and mechanisms that facilitate appropriation in contexts where complex decisions are made about the population's health-disease processes. Understanding singular realities is hardly viewed from a single prism, thus the reflection on the place and space of qualitative research arises in nursing (3) and in health clinic.…”

“…We share the opinion of the authors who advocate that qualitative research is an inter and transdisciplinary field that crosses the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The authors are convinced that the dialogue between theory and praxis, science -methods and techniques, and multidimensional human development requires different disciplinary views (3) . This makes it possible for the qualitative transformation of research to translate into better knowledge of transitions and adaptation processes in the face of health/disease, promoting quality of care, literacy and co-responsibility in health management (4) .…”

“…This 'qualitative challenge' for EBP certainly brings a fruitful discussion for researchers and advocates of levels of evidence from randomized studies or meta-analysis (1) . However, the development of qualitative research capable of placing this nature of research at a level capable of converging parallel to quantitative research, still hegemonic, in the health sector, brings potential not only for greater access to financing and an increase in publication (3) , but essentially for the impact on the population's health and quality of life.…”