people’s words and thoughts, the potential for inappropri-
ate disclosure of personal information is greater than in
studies where numbers and statistics form the descriptions.
Careful explanations of how data will be used and how
participants’ identities will be protected must be given
to participants. Researchers must make certain to honor
these obligations. Participants must be able to trust that
if they share their innermost thoughts with researchers,
researchers will do what has been promised with regard
to protecting privacy and safeguarding personal data.
Details of the study must be carefully planned in advance so that even the
smallest matter is not left to chance.
Qualitative researchers have an inherent obligation and contract with par-
ticipants to use data in the way that has been specified, to analyze data with an
open mind, and to be true to the data when reporting findings. For example,
when using ethnography as a method, researchers must address challenges such
as avoiding bias when studying cultural groups different from their own and
finding how best to obtain informed consent among these groups (Lipson, 1994).
The American Anthropological Association (2016), in its statement on Ethnog-
raphy and Institutional Review Boards, stated that “the ethnographer bears the
responsibility of ensuring that the participants are fully informed of the intent
of the ethnographic research, how the participants’ information contributes to
the research, and the anticipated risks and benefits the participants may expect
to occur as a result of their agreement to participate in the research” (p. 3).
When the research findings further nursing science and translate into better
care and outcomes for study participants, or those like them, then researchers
can be assured that an important task has been accomplished. If this goal is
kept in mind while maintaining the expected rigor of this type of research,
researchers are much less likely to violate ethical standards.FYI
Certain ethical issues are of note during data
analysis, interpretation, and evaluation; they
can be addressed by establishing trustwor-
thiness of the research project. Researchers
should be able to defend and explain why
a study is significant, describe what it adds
to EBP, and carefully weigh potential risks
to participants against benefits.True/False- Qualitative researchers do not need to obtain informed consent because they participate
in the process. - Qualitative researchers often assign code names to participants to protect participants’
privacy. - There is no harm or risk associated with participation in qualitative research because data
are typically collected through interviews.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE 14-4
How did you do? 1. F; 2. T; 3. F398 CHAPTER 14 What Do the Qualitative Data Mean?