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Qualitative Investigation (qualitative + investigation)
Selected AbstractsThe Experiences of Parents of Adolescents in Family Therapy: A Qualitative InvestigationJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 2 2010Maryann Sheridan While understanding clients' experiences in family therapy is becoming increasingly important, we know very little about how the parents of adolescents in family therapy perceive and experience this process. The current study uses a multicase qualitative design and constructivist theoretical framework to describe the experiences of 15 parents of adolescents attending family therapy in private practices. Constant comparative analysis revealed four core categories that described parents' therapeutic experiences: (a) pretherapy presentation, (b) supportive therapeutic climate, (c) family therapy process, and (d) reflections on the therapy experience. The implications of study findings for clinicians and researchers are presented and discussed. [source] A Qualitative Investigation of Individual and Contextual Factors Associated With Vocational Recovery Among People With Serious Mental IllnessAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2010Erin C. Dunn Most people with serious mental illness (SMI) experience difficulty in fulfilling a vocational role, with many being unemployed or underemployed. Given the profound social and economic costs of this level of work impairment, researchers have investigated ways to enhance "vocational recovery," or the processes through which people with SMI regain their role as workers and reintegrate into the workforce. Using data collected from a larger qualitative study of 23 individuals who had progressed to an advanced stage of recovery from SMI, this study explored respondents' perspectives on employment and its relationship to their vocational recovery. Text passages describing employment were analyzed inductively by a diverse team of researchers. Seven themes were identified as being important in helping participants return to work or remain employed following the onset of a serious psychiatric disability: having the confidence to work, having the motivation to work, possessing work-related skills, assessing person,job fit, creating work opportunities, receiving social support, and having access to consumer-oriented programs and services. Implications of these findings on the development of interventions and policies to improve the vocational outcomes of people with SMI are discussed. [source] Barriers to effective drug addiction treatment for women involved in street-level prostitution: a qualitative investigationCRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 3 2007Frances M. Smith Objectives,To examine barriers to effective drug addiction treatment for women involved in street-level prostitution. Methods,A qualitative approach was selected to enable a detailed exploration, in an informal and unthreatening manner, of the barriers to drug addiction treatment from the women's perspective. Nine in-depth interviews were conducted with women who were involved in street-level prostitution. Transcripts of one-to-one interviews were analysed for recurrent themes using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results,Barriers to effective addiction treatment are present at psychological, interpersonal, and wider societal levels. Themes identified included: an impoverished sense of self-worth, a lack of trust and consistency in treatment, and the absence of a comprehensive treatment package. Conclusion,Current services could be improved by the provision of a structured treatment programme designed to target the specific physical and psychological requirements of this population. Also, efforts to correct the fictitious, negative portrayals of women involved in prostitution are required, if treatment efficacy is to be improved. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A qualitative investigation of the views and health beliefs of patients with Type 2 diabetes following the introduction of a diabetes shared care serviceDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2003S. M. Smith Abstract Aims A qualitative research approach was adopted in order to explore the views and health beliefs of patients with Type 2 diabetes who had experienced a new structured diabetes shared care service. Methods Patients from 15 general practices were randomly selected and invited to attend three focus groups. Two independent researchers adopted the ,Framework' technique to analyse the transcribed data and identify key themes expressed by patients. Results Themes relating to diabetes included frustration, victimization and powerlessness in relation to living with diabetes, controlling blood sugar, medication and economic barriers to care. Differences in emphases between patients and healthcare providers emerged. Patients were generally positive about shared care and largely identified it with the nurses involved. Conclusion This research highlights the importance of an in-depth exploration of patients' views during changes in diabetes care delivery to identify service delivery failures and gaps in patient knowledge such as lack of awareness of the extent of macrovascular risk. [source] Developing a parenting skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children part 1: qualitative investigation of issues to includeEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 5 2007Rachel Bryant-Waugh Abstract Objective This study aimed to (i) identify themes and issues that might usefully be addressed in a skills-and-support intervention for mothers with eating disorders who have children less than 5 years of age, and (ii) determine the most appropriate format for such an intervention. Method Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with seven mothers with eating disorders and pre-school children, and four local health professionals working with mothers of pre-school children. Results Thematic analysis of interview transcripts revealed 10 themes: ,Passing on Traits', ,Food Preparation and Provision', ,Interactions Around Food and Mealtimes', ,Mother's Intake', ,Self Care', ,Self Identity and Parental Expectations', ,Impact on General Parent,Child Relationship', ,Need for Control', ,The Group Experience' and ,Practicalities and Format'. Discussion Findings highlight a number of difficulties and concerns experienced by mothers with eating disorders who have pre-school age children. An intervention incorporating the identified themes could provide important support to this patient group and potential benefit to their offspring. © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Factors affecting participation in Sure Start programmes: a qualitative investigation of parents' viewsHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 3 2007Mark Avis BA(Hons) MSc RN RNT Cert Ed Abstract The objectives of the present study were to examine the factors that parents identify as promoting or hindering participation in Sure Start programmes, and to identify methods for enhancing parents' engagement with Sure Start. A qualitative, in-depth interview study was conducted with parents registered with two local Sure Start programmes based in the East Midlands, UK, and located in inner city areas with a range of health and social problems associated with social exclusion and disadvantage. Sixty parents, guardians or carers of children living in both Sure Start areas were recruited during autumn of 2004 on the basis of whether they were identified as a ,frequent user' or ,non-frequent user' of Sure Start services. The data were analysed using a thematic approach supported by NVivo computer software, and explanatory themes were subsequently tested for completeness and adequacy. The results of the study indicated that parents who used Sure Start services were positive about the benefits that they obtained for themselves and their children, in particular in overcoming a sense of isolation. Parents who were non-frequent users identified a number of practical reasons that prevented them using Sure Start services, although parents also recognised a loss of confidence and trust in the local communities summarised in the phrase ,keeping myself to myself'. Parents' awareness of the targeted nature of Sure Start can also lead to stigma and reluctance to use services. It is concluded that continued investment of time and effort in maintaining communication networks between Sure Start staff and local parents is vital if parents and children are to make the best use of Sure Start services. [source] An exploration of the contribution of the community nurse to rehabilitationHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 4 2003Rosie Kneafsey RGN BSc Abstract Effective hospital and community rehabilitation services are increasingly recognised as a means of meeting the changing pattern of health and social care need. While the district or community nurse has the potential to play a central part in community rehabilitation provision, this role has received relatively scant attention in the literature. This paper describes research findings on community nurses' perceptions of their role and potential contribution to rehabilitation. As part of a wider, 2-year, qualitative investigation of the role of the nurse in rehabilitation, fieldwork was undertaken with both district and community staff nurses. This comprised focus group discussions and interviews with staff recruited as a consequence of the follow-up of patients' experiencing rehabilitation. The findings indicate that community-based nurses contributed to patient rehabilitation by making assessments, referring on to other members of the multi-professional team, advocating for and liaising with other services, helping people to adapt, teaching and motivating patients and carers, supporting and involving families, and providing technical care. A number of challenges to community-based nursing roles were apparent, including feelings of exclusion, lack of recognition, a lack of time for rehabilitation and paucity of referrals for rehabilitation. Greater clarity and recognition is needed of the community-based nursing contribution to rehabilitation, and there is a need to ensure that community nursing assessments contribute to patients' rehabilitation goals and the promotion of independent living. [source] The utility of rapid application development in large-scale, complex projectsINFORMATION SYSTEMS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2009Hilary Berger Abstract This paper describes an investigation into the utility of an agile development approach known as rapid application development (RAD) within a large-scale development project conducted within the public sector in the UK. Features of RAD as an ,agile' information systems development method (ISDM) are discussed and previous research identifying properties of development environments most conducive to its application are described. A case study is then presented based upon a long-term qualitative investigation of the ,unbundling' of a commercial RAD-like ISDM. The evidence from this case leads us to question established wisdom in relation to appropriate adoption and application of agile development within large-scale and complex development environments. [source] Consumer education: educational considerations and perspectivesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 3 2002Jette Benn Abstract This paper examines questions concerning consumer education in relation to consumption and household management. It is based partly on literature studies and partly on a current pilot study, also on studies carried out in the classroom and developmental work in schools and on teacher training courses. The pilot study on consumer education is being carried out in Denmark and is funded by the Danish Ministry of Business Affairs. Another part of the study concerns a qualitative investigation of pupils' understandings of consumption and its meaning in their lives, but this is not reported here. The key research questions relate to the way in which the young consumer is educated, both formally and informally, and what the possibilities and perspectives are for consumer education. Introductory research is discussed, followed by a presentation and discussion of key issues for consumer education, such as household management, consumption, home economics and education. Finally, three examples are described and discussed which demonstrate how the advocated principles of consumer education and empowerment can be put into practice. These examples are based on developmental work carried out in lower secondary schools and teacher training courses. [source] A qualitative investigation into the donor lapsing experienceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NONPROFIT & VOLUNTARY SECTOR MARKETING, Issue 4 2009Amber Nathan Donor attrition is costing charities a fortune. Previous research has examined the relative importance of the antecedents to donor loyalty versus lapsing. This study qualitatively builds on this. It reports the results of workshops and interviews that took lapsers and donors back through their donor and lapser journeys. It drills down into and unpacks their experiences,inclusive of the (previously undocumented) lapsing experience itself. It reveals striking similarities between the cancellation of a direct debit and other more conventional purchase decisions. Most worryingly, it seems that most people stop supporting a given charity because they had never really had any loyalty to it in the first place. Charities are not meeting people's needs as donors. There is a distinct lack of understanding between charities and their donors, and donors are lapsing because charities give them little reason to stay. The authors conclude with practical recommendations for the management of attrition. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Guidebook use by Japanese tourists: a qualitative study of Australia inbound travellersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TOURISM RESEARCH, Issue 1 2006Sachiko Nishimura Abstract This qualitative investigation into guidebook use reports on in-depth interviews conducted with 26 Japanese individuals and one couple who had visited Australia during the five previous years. Focusing on the stages before, during and after travel the research framework was based on Vogt and Fesenmaier's model of information needs. It was found that functional needs were the dominant influences during the prior to travel phase, with some non-functional needs (hedonic, aesthetic and innovation) also being influential. During the travel phase, only functional needs were evident. Some respondents were identified as being deliberate non-users of guidebooks. The variable ,tourist type' was found to be helpful for distinguishing between users and non-users and for identifying those with functional needs. The use of guidebooks by those whose needs are both functional and non-functional may be unaffected by this variable. When the attitudes of those who actively dislike guidebooks and those who hesitate to use them are aggregated, a view emerges of guidebooks as a symbol of standardised tourism. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale: development and psychometric testingJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 9 2009Johannes Nau Abstract Title.,The De-Escalating Aggressive Behaviour Scale: development and psychometric testing. Aim., This paper is a report of a study to develop and test the psychometric properties of a scale measuring nursing students' performance in de-escalation of aggressive behaviour. Background., Successful training should lead not merely to more knowledge and amended attitudes but also to improved performance. However, the quality of de-escalation performance is difficult to assess. Method., Based on a qualitative investigation, seven topics pertaining to de-escalating behaviour were identified and the wording of items tested. The properties of the items and the scale were investigated quantitatively. A total of 1748 performance evaluations by students (rater group 1) from a skills laboratory were used to check distribution and conduct a factor analysis. Likewise, 456 completed evaluations by de-escalation experts (rater group 2) of videotaped performances at pre- and posttest were used to investigate internal consistency, interrater reliability, test,retest reliability, effect size and factor structure. Data were collected in 2007,2008 in German. Findings., Factor analysis showed a unidimensional 7-item scale with factor loadings ranging from 0·55 to 0·81 (rater group 1) and 0·48 to 0·88 (rater group 2). Cronbach's alphas of 0·87 and 0·88 indicated good internal consistency irrespective of rater group. A Pearson's r of 0·80 confirmed acceptable test,retest reliability, and interrater reliability Intraclass Correlation 3 ranging from 0·77 to 0·93 also showed acceptable results. The effect size r of 0·53 plus Cohen's d of 1·25 indicates the capacity of the scale to detect changes in performance. Conclusion., Further research is needed to test the English version of the scale and its validity. [source] The role of offender experience and crimes in shaping accountsJOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND OFFENDER PROFILING, Issue 2 2009Eugenio de Gregorio Abstract The paper summarises the main findings obtained in a wide study on the construction of deviant actions' narratives. In this paper, we focused on two topics: both topics are crucial to suggest new directions in investigative psychology. Narratives provide investigative psychologists with new sets of tools to define criminal profiles, such as narrative profiling. This paper deals with a qualitative investigation undertaken by collecting narrative interviews. These interviews were conducted with 34 prisoners held in two penal institutes in Rome and their goal was to reveal the typical form of constructing accounts taken in a non-investigative context. The specific aim of the project was to show whether differences exist in the narrative accounts provided by perpetrators of crime considering two factors: the type of crime committed and the experience in the deviance arena, which are hypothesised to shape narrations. Interviews were analysed with particular reference to the ,Evaluation model' by W. Labov. Participants were divided into three groups on the basis of the type of experience in the deviant field (professionals, intermediates and amateurs) and into four groups according to the crime committed (homicide, robbery and theft, and crimes linked to drugs and fencing). The results show the significant existence of clear differences in the reconstruction of the crime committed compared to the experience of the protagonist. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Performance of Desire: Gender and Sexual Negotiation in Long-Term MarriagesJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 2 2008Sinikka Elliott We integrate theoretical traditions on the social construction of gender, heterosexuality, and marriage with research and theory on emotion work to guide a qualitative investigation of how married people understand and experience sex in marriage. Results, based on 62 in-depth interviews, indicate that married men and women tend to believe that sex is integral to a good marriage and that men are more sexual than women. Moreover, husbands and wives commonly experience conflict around sex and undertake emotion work to manage their own and their spouse's feelings about sex. We refer to this emotion work as "performing desire" and show how it is linked to gendered experiences in marriage and to competing cultural discourses around gender, heterosexuality, and marriage. [source] "We Have A Consensus": Explaining Political Support for Market Reforms in Latin AmericaLATIN AMERICAN POLITICS AND SOCIETY, Issue 2 2002Leslie Elliott Armijo ABSTRACT By the 1990s, to the astonishment of many ob0servers, most Latin American countries had reformed their systems of national economic governance along market lines. Many analysts of this shift have assumed that it circumvented normal political processes, presuming that such reforms could not be popular. Explanations emphasizing economic crisis, external assistance, and politically insulated executives illustrate this approach. Through a qualitative investigation of the reform process in the region's four most industrialized countries, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, this study argues, to the contrary, that reforming governments found or created both elite and mass political support for their policies. [source] Influencing product lifetime through product designBUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 5 2005Nicole van Nes Abstract This article investigates the possibility of influencing product lifetime through product design. First, the results of a literature study on consumer behavior are presented. These show that surprisingly few researchers have focused specifically on the arousal of the need to replace a product. Therefore, empirical data about motives for product replacement were acquired through a combination of qualitative investigation and a quantitative survey. This resulted in a model of factors influencing the replacement decision and in a replacement typology. Finally, possible design directions for longer lasting products were explored. It was concluded that despite the variety of replacement motivations people basically want a well functioning and up to date product that meets their altering needs. This requires the development of dynamic and flexible products, which implies designing for variability and product attachment and preparing the product for future repair or upgrading. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] A qualitative investigation of school-aged children's answers to items from a generic quality of life measureCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2007J. Cremeens Abstract Background, The development of instruments to measure child self-reported quality of life (QOL) is dependent on whether children can understand the concepts behind items. Researchers need more information on how children are interpreting and answering items. This paper aims to investigate the strategies school-aged children use to answer QOL items. Methods, A generic 30-item QOL measure (the TedQL) was administered to 266 healthy children (5,6, 7,9 years old). Children were asked to ,think aloud' while answering a selection of 10 TedQL items (n = 4 ability, n = 4 social, n = 2 mood items), and their responses were recorded verbatim. Results, The strategies children reported using when answering items were coded into five categories: (1) social comparisons; (2) stable character references; (3) concrete examples; (4) other reasons; or (5) no reason given. Concrete examples were used most frequently by children. Strategy type was dependent on age, with 7,9-year-olds reporting social comparisons and concrete examples more frequently than 5,6-year-olds. Five-to-six-year-olds gave no reasons for their response choices more frequently than 7,9-year-olds. Strategy type also differed by item type, with social comparisons used more frequently for ability items, and stable character references for social items. However, concrete examples were used consistently highly across ability and social items. Conclusions, Children aged 5,9 years most commonly report using concrete examples of specific instances when answering QOL items. However, strategy use varies as a function of age and types of items. Our results highlight the importance of keeping in mind children's developmental age when interpreting responses from child QOL instruments. [source] Generalizability and transferability of meta-synthesis research findingsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2010Deborah Finfgeld-Connett finfgeld-connett d. (2010) Generalizability and transferability of meta-synthesis research findings. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(2), 246,254. Abstract Title.,Generalizability and transferability of meta-synthesis research findings. Aim., This paper is a report of a critical analysis of the generalizability and transferability of meta-synthesis research findings. Background., Findings from a large number of qualitative research investigations have had little impact on clinical practice and policy formation. Single qualitative investigations are not intended to produce findings that are directly applicable to clinical practice, simple literature reviews of qualitative studies are not conducted using sophisticated methods to develop new cumulative knowledge, and methods for systematically compiling and synthesizing qualitative findings have just recently been developed in nursing. Data sources., This analysis of qualitative review methods was based on over 10 years of meta-synthesis research experience and a non-time-limited cross-discipline search of the English-language literature related to qualitative research and generalizability. Discussion., Generalizability of meta-synthesis findings is enhanced by insuring validity through systematic sampling, second-tier triangulation, maintenance of well-documented audit trails and the development of multi-dimensional theory. Generalizability of meta-synthesis findings is tentative until successful transference to new situations takes place. Implications for nursing., Nurse researchers are urged to conduct well-designed and executed meta-synthesis investigations that have the potential to generate findings that are relevant to clinical practice and policy formation. They are also encouraged to disseminate their meta-synthesis findings skilfully and work with practitioners and policy-makers to apply and evaluate them judiciously in clinical settings. Conclusion., Qualitative meta-synthesis is a way of putting together qualitative findings from disparate investigations so that they can more readily be used in clinical practice and policy formation. [source] Metasynthesis: withdrawing life-sustaining treatments: the experience of family decision-makersJOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING, Issue 2 2009Mary Ann Meeker Aim., The present study was undertaken to synthesise findings from qualitative investigations of family participation in decisions to withdraw and/or withhold life-sustaining treatment from a seriously ill family member. Background., As a consequence of increasing effectiveness and sophistication of available medical interventions, death is commonly preceded by a decision to withdraw or withhold potentially life-sustaining treatments. These decisions take place in a bioethical context characterised by the preeminence of self-determination, but patients are typically too ill to make their own decisions. Thus, family members are called upon to participate in these morally consequential decisions on the patient's behalf. Design., Metasynthesis Method., Metasynthesis is a form of inquiry that provides for integration of qualitative studies' findings to strengthen knowledge for practice and advance theoretical development. This metasynthesis was conducted using the constant comparative methods of grounded theory. Results., Family members engage in a process of participation in decision-making that is comprised of three major categories: reframing reality, relating and integrating. Surrogates used both cues and information as they reframed their understanding of the patient's status. Relationships with providers and with other family members powerfully influenced the decision-making process. Integrating was characterised by reconciling and going forward. This part of the process has both intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects and describes how family decision-makers find meaning in their experience and move forward in their lives. Conclusions., This synthesis provides a more comprehensive and empirically supported understanding of family members' experiences as they participate in treatment decisions for dying family members. Relevance to clinical practice., This metasynthesis provides evidence to improve family care during treatment withdrawal/withholding decision-making and a theoretical model that can be used to guide creation of clinical practice guidelines. Through increased understanding of family members' experiences, clinicians can more effectively support family decision-making processes. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||