Qualitative methods are epidemiologic methods: Revisiting the epidemiologist's toolbox

Abstract

Qualitative research methods are frequently described as “compatible” with quantitative epidemiologic methods. Instead of simply “compatible,” we argue that qualitative methods are epidemiologic methods. Especially in social epidemiology, which embraces the relationships between psychosocial, historical, contextual, and intersectional factors and health, qualitative research methods have the potential to provide a more complete picture of the distribution of health and disease within a population and contexts contributing to population health. To this end, this paper compares qualitative research and epidemiologic research definitions, outlines epidemiologic uses of qualitative data, and addresses common concerns and misconceptions about qualitative research. We emphasize the shared characteristics and champion the use of shared standards across qualitative and quantitative approaches in epidemiology. This article is part of a Special Collection on Methods in Social Epidemiology.