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The essential role of social theory in qualitative public health research

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posted on 2023-05-16, 20:25 authored by Willis, K, Daly, J, Kealy, M, Small, R, Koutroulis, G, Green, J, Gibbs, L, Thomas, S
Objective: To define the role of social theory and examine how research studies using qualitative methods can use social theory to generalise their results beyond the setting of the study or to other social groups. Approach: The assumptions underlying public health research using qualitative methods derive from a range of social theories that include conflict theory, structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, the sociology of knowledge and feminism. Depending on the research problem, these and other social theories provide conceptual tools and models for constructing a suitable research framework, and for collecting and analysing data. In combination with the substantive health literature, the theoretical literature provides the conceptual bridge that links the conclusions of the study to other social groups and settings. Conclusion: While descriptive studies using qualitative research methods can generate important insights into social experience, the use of social theory in the construction and conduct of research enables researchers to extrapolate their findings to settings and groups broader than the ones in which the research was conducted. © 2007 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2007 Public Health Association of Australia.

History

Publication title

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

Volume

31

Issue

5

Pagination

438-443

ISSN

1326-0200

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Substitution Press

Place of publication

Melbourne, VIC

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Health policy evaluation

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