A Short Guide to Qualitative Studies for Dental Researchers

Qualitative studies can provide both medical and dental care providers with important aspects of the disease process. Particularly, how does the patient understand a particular oral health problem, and how does this knowledge improve the health outcomes. This particular cannot be explored using quantitative methods, which is widely used in the medical research field.This guide tries to shed a light on the use of a qualitative research paradigm through qualitative research methodologies commonly used in medical research. These methodologies are; thematic analysis, phenomenology, interpretive phenomenology, grounded theory, and generic qualitative approaches.These methodologies will be presented in a rather different way from what a medical researcher might expect. This book will use fine art examples as an analogy. The author will use famous artworks to enlighten the main features of each qualitative research methodology.