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Analysing qualitative data: ethnography and the evaluation of medical education
Author(s) -
WALKER M.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
medical education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.776
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1365-2923
pISSN - 0308-0110
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2923.1989.tb01575.x
Subject(s) - qualitative research , qualitative analysis , qualitative property , medical education , ethnography , external validity , psychology , computer science , management science , mathematics education , medicine , sociology , social psychology , social science , engineering , machine learning , anthropology
Summary. Quantitative methods of evaluating the outcomes of medical education may not always deliver the information which course organizers and teachers most need in order to improve their courses. Qualitative methods of research could provide such information. However, the use of qualitative methods has been limited by the difficulties associated with the analysis of subjective data and by the validity of its results. Qualitative data from an evaluation of the 2‐year part‐time MSc Course in General Practice at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospitals are presented and a rigorous method of analysis demonstrated. It is argued that for qualitative research validity is progressively achieved through the process of analysis, unlike experimental research where validity is ascribed in the research design. The relationship of research methods and approaches to evaluation is discussed and the potential contribution of qualitative research methods is outlined.