Qualitative Research: The “good,” the “bad,” the “ugly”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24377/EJQRP.article3104Keywords:
qualitative research, evaluation criteria, rigour, methodological integrity, reflexivityAbstract
This article explores what constitutes “Good,” “Bad,” and “Ugly” qualitative research towards more fully appreciating of the nature and vision of its project. In the first two sections, I define qualitative research and map variants. Then, after highlighting qualitative evaluation criteria, I explore key issues and themes of what seems to make research “Good,” “Bad,” or “Ugly”. In the latter half of the paper, I focus specifically on four broad types of qualitative research (literature review, phenomenology, narrative-ethnographic research and discourse analysis), critically discussing a good exemplar of each. To make my strategic selections more transparent and show my role in the construction of this paper, reflexive passages are offered. Here, I engage versions of personal/introspective and methodological/contextual reflexivity plus utilise some embodied and ethical reflexivity.
Downloads
References
Applebaum, M. (2012). Phenomenological psychological research as science. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 43(1), 36–72. https://doi.org/10.1163/156916212X632952.
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1997). Writing narrative literature reviews. Review of General Psychology, 1(3), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.1.3.311
Bochner, A. P. (2001). Narrative's virtues. Qualitative Inquiry, 7(2), 131–157.
Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis (2nd ed.). Sage.
Charmaz, K., & Thornberg, R. (2021). The pursuit of quality in grounded theory. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 305–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1780357
Chen, L. P., Murad, M. H., Paras, M. L., Colbenson, K. M., Sattler, A. L., Goranson, E. N., Elamin, M. B., Seime, R. J., Shinozaki, G., Prokop, L. J., & Zirakzadeh A. (2010). Sexual abuse and lifetime diagnosis of psychiatric disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 85, 618–629.
Corbin, J. M., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques (3rd ed.). Sage.
Davis, J., Mengersen, K., Bennett, S., & Mazerolle, L. (2014). Viewing systematic reviews and meta-analysis in social research through different lenses. SpringerPlus, 3, 511. https://doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-511
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.), (pp. 1–32). Sage.
Ellis, C., & Bochner, A. P. (Eds.). (1996). Composing ethnography: Alternative forms of qualitative writing. AltaMira Press.
Finlay, L. (2006a). Mapping methodology. In L. Finlay & C. Ballinger (Eds.), Qualitative research for allied health professionals: Challenging choices (pp. 9–29). John Wiley.
Finlay, L. (2006b). ‘Rigour’, ‘ethical integrity’ or ‘artistry’?: Reflexively reviewing criteria for evaluating qualitative research. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(7), 319–326. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260606900704
Finlay, L. (2017). Championing “reflexivities”. Qualitative Psychology, 4(2), 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000075
Finlay, L. (2021). Thematic analysis: The ‘good’, the ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’. European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 11, 103–116. https://doi.org/10.24377/EJQRP.article3062
Finlay, L. (2023). The qualitative evidence-base of relationally-orientated therapy: A critical celebration. European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy, 13. https://doi.org/10.24377/EJQRP.article3089
Finlay, L. (forthcoming). Phenomenology. In B. A. Bell, A. D. Anders, M. E. Yingling, A. L. Sjogren (Eds.) Handbook of research methods and methodologies for the social sciences. Routledge.
Finlay, L., & Ballinger, C. (2006). Qualitative research for allied health professionals: Challenging choices. John Wiley.
Finlay, L., & Evans, K. (2009) (Eds.) Relational-centred research for psychotherapists: Exploring meanings and experience. Wiley-Blackwell.
Georgaca, E., & Avdi, E. (2012). Discourse analysis. In A. Thompson & D. J. Harper (Eds.), Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy: A guide for students and practitioners (pp. 147–162). Wiley.
Giorgi, A. (2009). The descriptive phenomenological method in psychology: A modified Husserlian approach. Duquesne University Press.
Glaser, B. G. (1992). Basics of grounded theory analysis. Sociology Press.
Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Aldine de Gruyter.
Kiesinger, C. E. (1998). From interview to story: Writing Abbie's life. Qualitative Inquiry, 4, 71–95. https://doi.org/10.1177/107780049800400105
Keen, E. (2003). Doing psychology phenomenologically: Methodological considerations. The Humanistic Psychologist, 31(4), 5–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.2003.9986932
Levitt, H. M. (2020). Methodological integrity: Establishing the fidelity and utility of your research. In H. M. Levitt, Reporting qualitative research in psychology: How to meet APA Style Journal Article Reporting Standards (pp. 29–41). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000179-003
Levitt, H. M., Pomerville, A., & Surace, F. I. (2016). A qualitative meta-analysis examining clients’ experiences of psychotherapy: A new agenda. Psychological Bulletin, 142(8), 801-830. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000057
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
McMullen, L. M. (2011). A discursive analysis of Teresa’s protocol: Enhancing oneself, diminishing others. In F. J. Wertz, K. Charmaz, & R. Josselson (Eds.). Five ways of doing qualitative analysis: Phenomenological psychology, grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative research, and intuitive inquiry. The Guilford Press.
Potter, J., & Wetherell, M. (1987). Discourse and social psychology: Beyond attitudes and behaviour. Sage.
Potter, J., & Wetherell, M. (1995). Discourse analysis. In J. A. Smith, R. Harré, & L. van Langenhove (Eds.), Rethinking Methods in Psychology (pp. 80–92). Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446221792.n6
Rao, R. R. (2006). Wounding to heal: The role of the body in self-cutting. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp053oa
Richardson, L. (2000). Writing: A method of inquiry. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed.), (pp. 923–948). Sage.
Riessman, C. K. (1993). Narrative analysis. Sage.
Sandelowski, M. (2006). "Meta-Jeopardy": The crisis of representation in qualitative metasynthesis. Nursing Outlook, 54. https://doi.org/10-16. 10.1016/j.outlook.2005.05.004.
Sass, L. (2022). “A flaw in the great diamond of the world”: Reflections on subjectivity and the enterprise of psychology (A diptych). The Humanistic Psychologist, 50(1), 3–32. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000186
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. Sage.
Snyder, H. (2023). Designing the literature review for a strong contribution, Journal of Decision Systems. https://doi.org/10.1080/12460125.2023.2197704
Tepper, S. S. (1988). The gate to women’s country. Corgi Books.
Thorne, S., Jensen, L., Kearney, M. H., Noblit, G., & Sandelowski, M. (2004). Qualitative metasynthesis: Reflections on methodological orientation and ideological agenda. Qualitative Health Research, 14(10), 1342–1365. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732304269888.
Tracy, S. J. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight “big-tent” criteria for excellent qualitative research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(10), 837–851.
van der Merwe, H., & Wetherell, M. (2020). The emotional psychologist: A qualitative investigation of norms, dilemmas, and contradictions in accounts of practice. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 30(2), 227–245. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2439
van Manen, M. (2017). But is it phenomenology? [Editorial]. Qualitative Health Research, 27(6), 775–779. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732317699570
van Manen, M., M. & van Manen, M. (2021). Doing phenomenological research and writing. Qualitative Health Research, 31(6), 1069–1082.
Walsh, R. (2024). Revisiting reflexivity. The Humanistic Psychologist. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000357
Wertz, F. J. (1983). From everyday to psychological description: Analyzing the moments of a qualitative data analysis. Journal of Phenomenological Psychology, 14(2),
197–241. https://doi.org/10.1163/156916283X00108
Wertz, F. J. (2011). The qualitative revolution and psychology: Science, politics, and ethics. The Humanistic Psychologist, 39(2), 77–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.2011.564531
Wertz, F. J. (2011b). A phenomenological psychological approach to trauma and resilience. In F. J. Wertz et al. (Eds.) Five ways of doing qualitative analysis: Phenomenological psychology, grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative research, and intuitive inquiry (pp. 124–164). The Guilford Press.
Wertz, F. J., Charmaz, K., McMullen, L. M., Josselson, R., Anderson, R., & McSpadden, E. (2011). Five ways of doing qualitative analysis: Phenomenological psychology, grounded theory, discourse analysis, narrative research, and intuitive inquiry. The Guilford Press.
Wetherell, M. (1998). Positioning and interpretative repertoires: Conversation analysis and post-structuralism in dialogue. Discourse and Society, 9(3), 387–412. https://oro.open.ac.uk/24353/2/Positioningandinterpretative.pdf
Wetherell, M., Taylor, S., & Yates, S. J. (2001). Discourse theory and practice: A reader. Sage Publications.
Willig, C. (2001). Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and method. Open University Press.
Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in qualitative health research. Psychology & Health, 15(2), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870440008400302
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Linda Finlay
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The copyright of content in the European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy is retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the Journal. Journal articles are published as Open Access under a Creative Commons License which allows free download and use of the articles with appropriate attribution (to both the author and European Journal for Qualitative Research in Psychotherapy) for educational and other non-commercial use.
How to Cite
