Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Social Health and Diabetes 2013; 01(01): 006-008
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676173
Methodologies in Social Health and Diabetes
NovoNordisk Education Foundation

An overview of the rationale for qualitative research methods in social health

Heather L. Stuckey
Department of Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 November 2018 (online)

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Qualitative research is a primary way to understand the context of diabetes in a person′s life, beyond the medical outcomes. Identifying the qualitative issues such as patients′ knowledge about diabetes, their beliefs and attitudes, and their relationship with health care professionals can serve as data to determine the obstacles and, in turn, resolutions to those issues in diabetes management. Characteristics of qualitative and quantitative methods are described, with the discussion that both methods are complementary, not conflicting, to further the field of diabetes research.