Writing a Qualitative Report

The basic procedure in reporting the results of a qualitative study are to develop descriptions and themes from the data, to present these descriptions and themes that convey multiple perspectives from participants and detailed descriptions of the setting or individuals. Using a qualitative strategy of inquiry, these results may also provide a chronological narrative of an individual’s life (narrative research), a detailed description of their experiences (phenomenology), a theory generated from the data (grounded theory), a detailed portrait of a culture-sharing group (ethnography), or an in-depth analysis of one or more cases (case study). 

Strategies for Writing Up The Qualitative Research Findings:

• Use quotes and vary their length from short to long embedded passages.

• Script conversation and report the conversation in different languages to reflect cultural sensitivity.

• Present text information in tabular form (e.g., matrices, comparison tables of different codes).

• Use the wording from participants to form codes and theme labels.

• Intertwine quotations with (the author’s) interpretations.

• Use indents or other special formatting of the manuscript to call attention to quotations from participants.

• Use the first person “I” or collective “we” in the narrative form.

• Use metaphors and analogies.

• Use the narrative approach typically used within a qualitative strategy of inquiry.

• Describe how the narrative outcome will be compared with theories and the general literature on the topic.

Variations in The Report Format:

1. Problem-solving approach (problem-based)

2. Narrative approach (chronological)

3. Policy approach (evidence-based)

4. Analytic approach (theory/conceptual framework based)

Reporting Qualitative Research:

1. Typically use quotes from data

• Descriptive

• Direct link with data

• Credibility

2. Ways to use quotes

• Illustrative 

• Range of issues 

• Opposing views

Interpretation

Interpretation is the act of identifying and explaining the  core meaning of the data. It is a process of organizing and connecting emerging themes, sub-themes and contradictions to get the bigger picture-what it all means.Interpreting is to think how best to integrate data from multiple sources  and methods. Besides that, to make generalization by providing answers to questions of social and theoretical significance.

This will lead the ensuring credible or trustworthy interpretations.

Qualitative Validity

Researcher uses procedures to check the accuracy of the findings:

• Triangulate    

• Negative information

• Member checking   

• Prolonged time in the field

• Rich, thick description    

• Peer debriefing

• Clarify bias    

• External auditor

Qualitative Reliability

Researcher uses an approach that is consistent across different analysts and projects

Qualitative Generalization

Focus of qualitative research on the particularity, not generalizability

            References

            Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design. SAGE. http://books.google.ie/booksid=4uB76IC_pOQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=creswell+research+design+third+edition&hl=&cd=1&source=gbs_api