5155.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 3:00 PM

Abstract #24170

Qualitative Research in Indian Communities: Methodology and application

Sheila S. Tann, RN, ND, Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Arizona State University, PO Box 872602, Tempe, AZ 85287-2602, 480-965-7558, sheila.tann@medmail.com

Qualitative research has long been utilized by the disciplines of Nursing, Anthropology, and Psychology. It has recently been elevated from the ranks of “soft research” and has emerged in other scientific arenas as a recognized and beneficial approach to providing evidence-based outcomes. Qualitative research has a unique place in studies conducted in distinct racial and ethnic communities, as it reveals the context of research results rather than simply reporting probability and statistics. American Indian communities have historically retained an interest in the human element of research outcomes as they apply to their respective cultures and the implied meaning of research outcomes. It has often been said that among Indian tribes, the quality of one’s life outweighs the quantity. Research conducted with American Indian communities should reflect the participant community’s belief system if research findings are to have any benefit. This discussion will review the various methods of qualitative research and analysis techniques as well as contrasting the methodologies of quantitative research. The basics of planning, implementing, and evaluating a qualitative study will be reviewed. In addition, the benefits of embedding qualitative components within a quantitative study design will be explored. Quantitative studies in diabetes will be used to illustrate examples of the added benefit of an incorporated qualitative approach.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to: 1.Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research design and methodologies 2. Recognize barriers that may be encountered using qualitative research design in culturally distinct communities 3. Identify viable qualitative research strategies to employ in Native American communities 4. Understand the benefits of using a purely qualitative or mixed design when addressing a research question in Native communities 5. Describe the social and cultural determinants of research measures and outcomes in Native communities

Keywords: Native and Indigenous Populations, Community Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA