Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families

Kristin Wright; Douglas G. Flemons

doi:10.1080/07481180211268

Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families

Kristin Wright
, Douglas G. Flemons

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article illustrates the use of qualitative research methods in the field of thanatology. The authors - a former doctoral candidate and her dissertation chair - describe their ongoing naturalistic inquiry of terminally ill persons and their family members. By describing the reasoning and decision-making informing their study, the authors provide an instructive "how to" on the following topics: finding a research question and a method; assessing risks and benefits; sampling; gaining entry/access to research informants; participant observation; interviewing; analyzing data, and establishing "relational integrity." In a final section, the first author offers reflections on the personal challenges she faced while conducting her research.

Original language	American English
Journal	Death Studies
Volume	26
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180211268
State	Published - Jan 1 2002

Keywords

qualitative research methods
terminally ill persons
thanatology

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

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10.1080/07481180211268License: Unspecified

https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180211268

Cite this

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title = "Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families",

abstract = " This article illustrates the use of qualitative research methods in the field of thanatology. The authors - a former doctoral candidate and her dissertation chair - describe their ongoing naturalistic inquiry of terminally ill persons and their family members. By describing the reasoning and decision-making informing their study, the authors provide an instructive {"}how to{"} on the following topics: finding a research question and a method; assessing risks and benefits; sampling; gaining entry/access to research informants; participant observation; interviewing; analyzing data, and establishing {"}relational integrity.{"} In a final section, the first author offers reflections on the personal challenges she faced while conducting her research.",

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AU - Wright, Kristin

AU - Flemons, Douglas G.

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N2 - This article illustrates the use of qualitative research methods in the field of thanatology. The authors - a former doctoral candidate and her dissertation chair - describe their ongoing naturalistic inquiry of terminally ill persons and their family members. By describing the reasoning and decision-making informing their study, the authors provide an instructive "how to" on the following topics: finding a research question and a method; assessing risks and benefits; sampling; gaining entry/access to research informants; participant observation; interviewing; analyzing data, and establishing "relational integrity." In a final section, the first author offers reflections on the personal challenges she faced while conducting her research.

AB - This article illustrates the use of qualitative research methods in the field of thanatology. The authors - a former doctoral candidate and her dissertation chair - describe their ongoing naturalistic inquiry of terminally ill persons and their family members. By describing the reasoning and decision-making informing their study, the authors provide an instructive "how to" on the following topics: finding a research question and a method; assessing risks and benefits; sampling; gaining entry/access to research informants; participant observation; interviewing; analyzing data, and establishing "relational integrity." In a final section, the first author offers reflections on the personal challenges she faced while conducting her research.

KW - qualitative research methods

KW - terminally ill persons

KW - thanatology

UR - https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_facarticles/7

UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180211268

U2 - 10.1080/07481180211268

DO - 10.1080/07481180211268

M3 - Article

SN - 0748-1187

VL - 26

JO - Death Studies

JF - Death Studies

ER -

Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families

Abstract

Keywords

Disciplines

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