Facilitating rigorous qualitative research in rehabilitation psychology.

Abstract

Qualitative research methods have much to contribute to theoretical and applied knowledge in rehabilitation psychology. However, as a discipline, rehabilitation psychology has been behind the curve in employing qualitative methods. Objectives: This article is a summary of the state of qualitative research in rehabilitation and an introduction to various methodological dimensions to consider in implementing qualitative rehabilitation psychology research. Types and examples of qualitative rehabilitation research are presented. Criteria for evaluating qualitative research are discussed. Finally, the majority of this article is devoted to presenting the various methodological dimensions on which researchers must make decisions in designing and implementing rigorous qualitative research (e.g., paradigms, methods, data collection strategies, data analysis procedures, reliability/validity). Conclusions: Rehabilitation psychology has much to gain through qualitative research, and success in incorporating qualitative evidence will be ensured by rehabilitation psychologists learning and rigorously implementing qualitative methods.

The Meaning of Social Activism to Older Adults in Ireland

“…All participants were happy that the transcripts and provisional themes reflected their position on social activism and two participants added additional information that was incorporated into the data for analysis. An audit trail was maintained by keeping a research journal, including interview schedule development notes, reflections following the interview process and data analysis notes (Chwalisz, Shah, & Hand, 2008).…”

A journey beyond the bars: Participants' experiences of psychological treatment in a prison setting

“…As previously discussed, research (Pattenaude, 2004& Chwalisz et al, 2008 has criticised the field of criminology for its reliance upon quantitative analysis to evaluate rehabilitative interventions. Authors (Pattenaude & Chwalisz) observe how quantitative analyses limit the depth of subjective understanding available to the critical thinker.…”

“…Whilst quantitative evaluations and meta analyses of New Zealand-based criminogenic rehabilitation programmes and international offence-related treatment interventions are in abundance Hollin & Palmer, 2009;McGuire, 2002;Polaschek et al 2005;Smith, Goggin &Gendreau, 2001 andTong &Farrington, 2006) the same cannot be said for qualitative methodologies. Chwalisz, Shah and Hand (2008) observed that "Qualitative research methods have much to contribute to theoretical and applied knowledge in rehabilitation psychology. However, as a discipline, rehabilitation psychology has been behind the curve in employing qualitative methods" (p.387).…”

Systematic Review of Research into the Psychological Aspects of Prostate Cancer in Asia: What do we Know?

“…The assessment of the quality of qualitative studies was based on criteria held in the literature to denote high quality (Elliott et al, 1999;Daly et al, 2007;Chwalisz et al, 2008). Criteria included whether: the sampling frame was described, justified, or met; the framework for the study design, methodology and orientation disclosed; interviewer bias was addressed; the method of analysis was described; reliability and validity checks were included; data were clearly presented.…”