Methods and strategies utilized in published qualitative research

Here we examine articles that were published between 1999 and 2007 in Qualitative Health Research (QHR), and between 2000 and 2006 in Qualitative Research (QR), and sort them according to (a) the number of qualitative research publications by year, (b) data analysis by methodology, (c) data analysis by author, (d) the use of computer programs for data analysis, and (e) analysis process and procedure. To promote a further understanding of the procedures used in qualitative research, we then discuss similarities and differences between the categories. We suggest that a certain detachment from the "rules" will help qualitative researchers maintain reflective insight into data so they can successfully conceptualize the work involved.