Use of software in qualitative health research in Brazil: A scoping review

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify the use of software in qualitative studies produced within the framework of Brazilian postgraduate programs in the health area. This scoping review was carried out from the Thesis Bank and Dissertations of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). Dissertations and theses produced in the scope of Brazilian postgraduate programs in the health area configured as qualitative studies using software were analyzed. Data were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. The final sample consisted of 306 studies. Seventeen software programs were used, some in combination. Emphasis was placed on the central role of the researcher in qualitative research. We conclude that the use of software in qualitative Brazilian studies in the health area, although still incipient, have increased, indicating a concern for innovation in research methods due to current demands for the methodological rigor of qualitative investigations and the creativity of the researcher.