Oral

The National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Veterans Health Administration recognize the value of funding proposals which include rigorous qualitative research strategies to develop knowledge related to human experiences in health and illness. Community-Based Participatory Research, ethnography, and grounded theory are qualitative methods that are particularly relevant in 1) addressing public health nursing concerns such as the health needs of vulnerable populations, and 2) identifying cultural beliefs and explanatory models of illness that enhance evidence-based prevention strategies and health care policies. However, myths remain about the scientific value and rigor of qualitative methods, and the ability to compete for funding and publish qualitative studies in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These myths exist because many researchers do not have a good understanding of or training in the systematic approach to design, data collection, and analysis that is necessary for rigorous qualitative research. The purpose of this presentation is to 1) engage the audience in a discussion about successful and unsuccessful qualitative research strategies used in public health nursing research individually or in combination with quantitative methods; 2) describe important elements of qualitative study design, including data collection and analysis techniques and highlight potential problem areas; 3) address the issues of rigor in qualitative research; and 4) highlight the usefulness of qualitative methods in advancing public health nursing’s agenda for social justice, prevention science, and improving the health of communities. This participatory session will include concrete examples of the elements needed for developing competitive qualitative research proposals.

Session Objectives: 1)Describe common qualitative research methods relevant to public health nursing; 2)Identify elements of rigorous qualitative study design, including data collection and analysis; 3)Discuss qualitative strategies that address issues related to healthy communities and social justice.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)