Use of theory in qualitative research: A practical example Amanda - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Amanda Brewster Yale School of Public Health June 2017

Use of theory in qualitative research: A practical example

Overview

• What we mean by theory
• Grounded theory and qualitative methods
• Contributions of theory: an example study

2

What is theory?

• Relationships among variables and propositions that explain

phenomena (Brazil, 2005)

• Mechanisms of action, models, conceptual frameworks
• How societies work, how organizations operate
• Different lenses to look at complicated problems and social

issues (Reeves, 2008)

• Focus attention on different aspects of data
• Many lenses can be applied to same problem

3

Sample theories in HSR

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• Organizations learn
• Absorptive capacity

Organizational learning theory

• Guard knowledge
• Preserve autonomy

Professionalization theory

Concerns about theory

5

Impractical Introduces bias Concerns

Essential role of theory

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• Why and how

interventions work

• Translation
• Identify novel findings
• Avoid redundant ones
• Explore nuance

Impractical Introduces bias Concerns Reassurance

Example project

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Study goal

Understand how health care and social services

• rganizations can effectively work together to improve

health outcomes at reasonable cost for older adults with complex needs.

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Income Support Home Safety Nutrition Health Care Social Support

$

Research Strategy

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Comparison of 10 higher and 6 lower performing communities (16 total) Interviews with 245 representatives Constant comparative method

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Theory: Research Question

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Coordination theory

• Reciprocally interdependent tasks are difficult to

coordinate well (Thompson, 1967)

• Organizations structure to minimize them; use various

mechanisms to coordinate remaining

• Health/ social services: reciprocally interdependent
• Do coordination mechanisms improve performance?

Theory: Data collection

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Organizational culture

• Shared assumptions that influence interaction

(Schein, 2006)

• May be taken for granted by participants
• Focus data collection on specific examples of

how organizations work together

Theory: Analysis (1)

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Governance theories

High performers actively coordinated Hierarchical and unstructured models both seen

Brokered Non-brokered

Theory: Analysis (2)

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Strategic alliance theories

High performers actively coordinated Not enough data on trust and control mechanisms

Trust Control

Theory: Analysis (3)

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Sociology of

• rganizations

High performers actively coordinated 4 relationship functions

• Trust-building
• Problem identification
• Collective action
• accountability

Multiplex ties

Summary

• Theory is an important part of qualitative research
• Orients choices in study design, data collection
• Can point to novel aspects of context and process

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Acknowledgements

• Marie A. Brault
• Annabel X. Tan
• Leslie A. Curry
• Elizabeth H. Bradley
• Commonwealth Fund
• Donaghue Foundation

Co-Authors Funders

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References

• Brazil K, Ozer E, Cloutier MM, Levine R, Streyer D. 2005. From theory to practice: improving

the impact of health services research. BMC Health Services Research 5:1.

• Reeves S, Albert M, Kuper A, Hodges D. 2008. Why use theories in qualitative research? BMJ

337: 631-634.

• Wilensky H. The Professionalization of Everyone? American Journal of Sociology 70(2): 137-

158.

• Thompson JD. Organizations in Action. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 1967.
• Schein E. Organizational Culture and Leadership. John Wiley & Sons, 2006.
• Provan KG, Kenis P. 2008. Modes of network governance: structure, management and
• effectiveness. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory 18: 229-252.
• Das TK, Teng B. 1998. Between Trust and Control: Developing Confidence in Partner

Cooperation in Alliances. The Academy of Management Review 23: 491-512.

• Safford S. 2009. Why the Garden Club Couldn’t Save Youngstown: The Transformation of the

Rust Belt. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

• Schein E. 2006. Organizational Culture and Leadership. John Wiley & Sons.

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THANK YOU!