Research Methods FinalFinal

Narrative Research (Qualitative Concept)

Definition (in my own words):
Narrative research is a qualitative approach that examines the stories people tell about their lives to understand how they create meaning from their experiences. It uses sources like interviews, diaries, letters, or personal accounts to construct a chronological or thematic narrative.

Example:
A researcher exploring why individuals choose social work might interview several social workers and gather their life stories. By analyzing their narratives—such as childhood influences or personal motivations—the researcher can identify common themes that explain their decision to enter the profession.

Ethnography (Qualitative Concept)

Definition:
Ethnography is a qualitative method focused on studying a cultural or social group within its natural setting. The researcher spends extended time observing, taking field notes, and sometimes participating in daily activities to understand the group’s customs, communication patterns, and shared behaviors.

Example:
To understand the culture of an emergency department night shift, a researcher may shadow staff members for several weeks, observing teamwork, communication, workflow, and norms. These observations allow the researcher to produce a cultural portrait of the night-shift environment.

Research Ethics – Informed Consent (Ethics Concept)

Definition:
Informed consent is the ethical process where participants are fully informed about a study’s purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, confidentiality, and their right to withdraw at any time before agreeing to participate. It protects participants’ autonomy and ensures voluntary involvement.

Example:
Before interviewing participants about coping with chronic illness, the researcher provides a written explanation of the study, explains confidentiality protections, and reminds participants that they can stop at any time. Participants sign the consent form before the researcher collects any data.

Longitudinal Study (General Research Concept)

Definition:
A longitudinal study examines the same individuals or group repeatedly over an extended period to identify changes or developments. It is used to track trends, patterns, or progression over time rather than capturing a single moment.

Example:
A researcher studying how nursing students’ confidence develops throughout their program may survey or interview the same group of students each semester for two years. By comparing their responses over time, the researcher can observe growth, challenges, and shifts in attitude.

Case Study Research (General Research Concept)

Definition:
Case study research involves an in-depth investigation of a single case—such as a person, organization, event, or system—using multiple data sources like interviews, observations, and documents. It provides a rich, detailed understanding of the case in its real-life context.

Example:
To understand why a particular community health clinic succeeds in improving patient engagement, a researcher might observe appointments, interview clinicians, review clinic policies, and analyze patient documents. These combined data help reveal what makes the clinic effective.