Assignment: Qualitative Research Approaches Matrix, Part I
In order for you to select the qualitative research approach that best fits your research question, you will
need to develop a deeper familiarity with the approaches available to you. This week’s Assignment is the
first of a two-part activity designed to broaden and deepen your base of knowledge of qualitative research
approaches. While the activity does not encompass all possible approaches, it does allow you to explore
the eight most common approaches you are likely to encounter and may wish to consider for yourself.
For this Assignment, you will complete the first half of the Qualitative Research Approaches Matrix
Template, which is designed to allow you to compare and contrast qualitative research approaches.
To prepare for this Assignment:
Review this week’s readings, focusing on the differences among the following four types of qualitative
research approaches:
Generic qualitative inquiry
Qualitative case study
Grounded theory and realism
Phenomenology and heuristic inquiry
Locate the Qualitative Research Approaches Matrix Template in this week’s Learning Resources.
Read the examples of research studies provided in this week’s Learning Resources.
Select additional readings that focus on specific approaches (some suggestions have been provided for
you in the Optional Resources).
Required Readings
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Chapter 3, “Variety of Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks: Paradigmatic, Philosophical, and Theoretical
Orientations” (pp. 85–168)
Chapter 4, “Practical and Actionable Qualitative Applications” (pp. 169–242)
Basic Qualitative Research
Bowers, B. J., Fibich, B., & Jacobson, N. (2001). Care-as-service, care-as-relating, care-as-comfort:
Understanding nursing home residents’ definitions of quality. The Gerontologist, 41(4), 539–545. Retrieved
from http://gerontologist.oxfordjournals.org/
Care-as-Service, Care-as-Relating, Care-as-Comfort Understanding Nursing Home Residents’ Definitions
of Quality by Bowers, B.; Fibich, B.; Jacobson, N., in The Gerontologist, Vol. 41/Issue 4. Copyright 2001 by
Oxford University Press – Journals, The Gerontological Society of America. Reprinted by permission of
Oxford University Press – Journals, The Gerontological Society of America via the Copyright Clearance
Center.
Qualitative Case Study
Donnelly, C., Brenchley, C., Crawford, C., & Letts, L. (2013). The integration of occupational therapy into
primary care: a multiple case study design.BMC family practice, 14(1), 1.
Grounded Theory
Barello, S., Graffigna, G., Vegni, E., Savarese, M., Lombardi, F., & Bosio, A. C. (2015). ‘Engage me in
taking care of my heart’: a grounded theory study on patient–cardiologist relationship in the hospital
management of heart failure. BMJ open, 5(3), e005582.
Heuristic Inquiry
Howard, A., & Hirani, K. (2013). Transformational change and stages of development in the workplace: A
heuristic inquiry. Journal of Integral Theory and Practice, 8(1/2), 71–86.
