Guidance for reporting a qualitative study

This advice is relevant to studies reporting qualitative research and is based on the SRQR guidelines.  Read more

The following information was originally published here.

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Title

1.

Concise description of the nature and topic of the study identifying the study as qualitative or indicating the approach (e.g. ethnography, grounded theory) or data collection methods (e.g. interview, focus group) is recommended.

Abstract

2.

Summary of the key elements of the study using the abstract format of the intended publication; typically includes background, purpose, methods, results and conclusions.

Introduction

3. Problem formulation

Description and signifcance of the problem / phenomenon studied: review of relevant theory and empirical work; problem statement.

4. Purpose or research question

Purpose of the study and specific objectives or questions.

Methods

5. Qualitative approach and research paradigm

Qualitative approach (e.g. ethnography, grounded theory, case study, phenomenolgy, narrative research) and guiding theory if appropriate; identifying the research paradigm (e.g. postpositivist, constructivist / interpretivist) is also recommended; rationale. The rationale should briefly discuss the justification for choosing that theory, approach, method or technique rather than other options available; the assumptions and limitations implicit in those choices and how those choices influence study conclusions and transferability. As appropriate the rationale for several items might be discussed together.

6. Researcher characteristics and reflexivity

Researchers' characteristics that may influence the research, including personal attributes, qualifications / experience, relationship with participants, assumptions and / or presuppositions; potential or actual interaction between researchers' characteristics and the research questions, approach, methods, results and / or transferability.

7. Context

Setting / site and salient contextual factors; rationale.

8. Sampling strategy

How and why research participants, documents, or events were selected; criteria for deciding when no further sampling was necessary (e.g. sampling saturation); rationale.

9. Ethical issues pertaining to human subjects

Documentation of approval by an appropriate ethics review board and participant consent, or explanation for lack thereof; other confidentiality and data security issues.

10. Data collection methods

Types of data collected; details of data collection procedures including (as appropriate) start and stop dates of data collection and analysis, iterative process, triangulation of sources / methods, and modification of procedures in response to evolving study findings; rationale.

11. Data collection instruments and technologies

Description of instruments (e.g. interview guides, questionnaires) and devices (e.g. audio recorders) used for data collection; if / how the instruments(s) changed over the course of the study.

12. Units of study

Number and relevant characteristics of participants, documents, or events included in the study; level of participation (could be reported in results).

13. Data processing

Methods for processing data prior to and during analysis, including transcription, data entry, data management and security, verification of data integrity, data coding, and anonymisation / deidentification of excerpts.

14. Data analysis

Process by which inferences, themes, etc. were identified and developed, including the researchers involved in data analysis; usually references a specific paradigm or approach; rationale.

15. Techniques to enhance trustworthiness

Techniques to enhance trustworthiness and credibility of data analysis (e.g. member checking, audit trail, triangulation); rationale.

Results/findings

16. Syntheses and interpretation

Main findings (e.g. interpretations, inferences, and themes); might include development of a theory or model, or integration with prior research or theory.

17. Links to empirical data

Evidence (e.g. quotes, field notes, text excerpts, photographs) to substantiate analytic findings.

Discussion

18. Intergration with prior work, implications, transferability and contribution(s) to the field

Short summary of main findings; explanation of how findings and conclusions connect to, support, elaborate on, or challenge conclusions of earlier scholarship; discussion of scope of application / generalizability; identification of unique contributions(s) to scholarship in a discipline or field.

19. Limitations

Trustworthiness and limitations of findings.

Other

20. Conflicts of interest

Potential sources of influence of perceived influence on study conduct and conclusions; how these were managed.

21. Funding

Sources of funding and other support; role of funders in data collection, interpretation and reporting.

To acknowledge this checklist in your methods, please state "We used the SRQR checklist when writing our report [citation]". Then cite this checklist as O'Brien BC, Harris IB, Beckman TJ, Reed DA, Cook DA. Standards for reporting qualitative research: a synthesis of recommendations. Acad Med. 2014;89(9):1245-1251..

The SRQR checklist is distributed with permission of Wolters Kluwer © 2014 by the Association of American Medical Colleges