Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses

9.3 Keeping It Ethical

1. Which method would you choose to answer the question, What process do older adults
   use when they quit smoking?
   a. Ethnography
   b. Historical
   c. Phenomenology
   d. Grounded theory


2. Match the following terms with one of the four types of qualitative methods:
   a. Constant comparison
   b. Strategic sampling
   c. Lived experience
   d. Emic

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 9-2

How did you do? 1. d; 2. a. grounded theory b. historical c. phenomenology d. ethnography

Qualitative researchers are held to the same ethical standards as are research-

ers using other methods. Participants have the same rights as individuals who

volunteer for research involving quantitative measures. Researchers must

obtain informed consent, protect privacy, allow volunteers to withdraw from

the study at any time, and avoid harm to individuals who participate. Because

of their noninvasive nature, most qualitative studies qualify for exempt status

from the institutional review board review.

Some ethical considerations, however, are unique to qualitative research.

These considerations fall into two major categories: those that have to do with

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

‹ Discuss ethical considerations that are unique to qualitative methods

Consider a time when you may have been exposed to a new culture. What were the emic

perspectives? How did these compare to your etic perspectives?

CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISE 9-2

244 CHAPTER 9 Qualitative Designs: Using Words to Provide Evidence