Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Aim or purpose of the study
Review of literature
Methods
Sample
Setting
Data collection methods
Data analysis methods
Findings or results
Discussion
Nursing implications
Limitations of study
Conclusions
Questions that arose
Recommendations for future researchBOX 14-2
Example of Standard Components of
a Qualitative Research Reportin the study. The focus is on the many details about the group, and there is
very little description of methods. The researcher is almost invisible (Miles &
Huberman, 1994). Scholarly journals or monographs are common places to
publish this type of writing. Peer-reviewed articles are standard and respected
types of articles, but they have been criticized for being dull and boring. What-
ever strategy for reporting the data is used, the discussion should always reflect
the data and be true to the data (Houghton et al., 2015).
Confessionist tales are more personalized accounts in which the writer gives
insight into the process of data collection and shows the scientific rigor of the
field methods. The confessionist tale is written from the researcher’s viewpoint
with personal authority and thick description (Van Manen, 1988).
Impressionist tales allow researchers to chronicle their experiences “in a
type of auto-ethnography” (Marshall & Rossman, 2011). Researchers speak
more personally about the experiences of conducting the study, and they are
participant observers versus disconnected realists. These reports are often more
like storytelling and help the reader relive the experience.
Whichever voice researchers choose to use when reporting the results of the
study, the decision should be made with the goal of communicating results in
the most useful manner. Reports should be written with the audience in mind.
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