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Qualitative Inquiry: An End Not Just a Means

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Abstract

While culture is both complex and multifaceted, it is important to examine health behaviors and outcomes within a particular sociocultural setting. Culture can best be described through in-depth, ethnographic research or through qualitative methods. Qualitative inquiry is both a means and an end in conducting research. You can use it to learn about the meaning of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in order to design a prevention program or as a primary aim to describe a group of people and the context in which they exhibit behaviors. This chapter is intended to provide a diverse group of researchers with some “basics” related to the process of qualitative research, including an overview of types of qualitative research and methods, the importance of identifying a theoretical framework, and systematic research design, which should guide the choice of methods. A detailed discussion of qualitative data management and analysis is provided, as this is often the least understood part of qualitative research and the section of a grant proposal that is least developed and described. The chapter provides a starting point for understanding how qualitative methods can be used in health research and in preparing a grant proposal that incorporates qualitative research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, 124 Rosenau Hall, CB 7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Margaret E. Bentley

Authors
  1. Margaret E. Bentley
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  2. Elizabeth E. Tolley
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  3. Willo Pequegnat
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret E. Bentley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Mental Health, Executive Blvd. 6001, Bethesda, 20892-9641, Maryland, USA

    Willo Pequegnat

  2. National Institute of Mental Health, Executive Blvd. 6001, Bethesda, 20892-9641, Maryland, USA

    Ellen Stover

  3. Delafield Place, N.W. 1413, Washington, 20011, District of Columbia, USA

    Cheryl Anne Boyce

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Bentley, M.E., Tolley, E.E., Pequegnat, W. (2010). Qualitative Inquiry: An End Not Just a Means. In: Pequegnat, W., Stover, E., Boyce, C. (eds) How to Write a Successful Research Grant Application. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1454-5_14

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1453-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1454-5

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