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Abstract
To produce rigorous and credible research, occupational therapists need a solid understanding of the match between topic, methodology, and methods. Sometimes the fit between the topic, the methodology and its associated methods is poor, diminishing the rigour and quality of the research evidence that will potentially be used to inform practice. In this article three research approaches: grounded theory, phenomenology, and qualitative descriptive, are examined in terms of the link between theoretical orientation and the chosen approach, and the congruence between the methodological decisions and the chosen approach. Recommendations for occupational therapists reading and conducting qualitative research are offered.
Keywords
Grounded theory, phenomenology, qualitative descriptive, research, rigour
Internationally there is an increasing call for rigorous research to inform evidence based practice. In occupational therapy the trend has been towards research situated within the qualitative paradigm, including methodological approaches such as grounded theory, phenomenology and qualitative descriptive. Integral to rigorous qualitative research is the fit between the choice of topic, appropriate methodology and associated methods. However, in our opinion research is being published which does not have the internal consistency and congruency of methodological approaches and methods. This poses a potential problem for occupational therapists drawing on such research to inform their evidence based practice. Indeed, the evidence may not have been rigorously produced.
Researchers have previously described the fit between qualitative research methods and occupational therapy research, and how to appraise the trustworthiness of the research (Curtin & Fossey, 2007; Frank & Polkinghorne, 2010; Wicks & Whiteford, 2006; Wright-St. Clair, 2012). Therefore it is not our intention to cover this ground. Rather our aim is to increase reader's understanding of how to determine the quality of qualitative research. The paper will be presented in two parts. In part one, three methodological approaches: grounded theory, phenomenology and qualitative descriptive will be described with particular reference to: 1 ) the link between theoretical orientation and the chosen approach and 2) congruence between the chosen approach and methodological decisions such as data collection and analysis. These three methodological approaches have been chosen as they are most commonly used in occupational therapy research. Published articles will be used to illustrate our discussion. In part two, recommendations are offered for occupational therapists, as readers and researchers, to...