Health services research methods in pharmacy. Qualitative interviews

Abstract

Qualitative approaches have gained an increased prominence in health services and pharmacy practice research in recent years. Although the numbers of qualitative studies are small compared with those using survey methodology, a substantial body of work has been undertaken in pharmacy practice and related settings. The aim of this paper is to review research employing qualitative interviews in terms of the methodological issues and problems that this approach presents and to explore how these have been addressed. Study objectives, sampling procedures, data collection, processing and analysis and issues of validity, reliability and generalisability will be discussed.