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The Use of Qualitative Methods in Research on Older Families

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Sarah H. Matthews
Sarah H. Matthews
Affiliation:
Cleveland State University
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Abstract

This paper argues that qualitative methods are especially appropriate for studying older families because they are better suited than survey data for conceptualizing interdependence. It further argues that the current availability of data from large-scale surveys has led family researchers down the wrong path if the interdependence of family members is to be recognized and explored in research. The absence of clearcut rules for conducting and presenting the products of qualitative research is suggested as a virtue rather than the drawback it is often presumed to be.

Résumé

Les méthodes qualitatives sont particulièrement appropriées pour étudier les families aînées parce qu'elles permettent, mieux que les données d'enquètes, de conceptualiser l'interdépendance. C'est là l'argument principal de cet article. L'auteur montre également que la disponibilité de données provenant d'enquêtes effectuées à très grande échelle a conduit sur une mauvaise piste les chercheurs qui veulent étudier la famille en tenant compte de l'interdépendance de ses membres. Enfin, l'absence de règies bien précises pour la gestion et la présentation des résultats d'une recherche qualitative est considérée comme un avantage plutôt qu'un inconvénient.

Keywords

Méthodes qualitativesfamille.Qualitative MethodsFamily.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 12 , Issue 2: Qualitative Methods/Les méthodes qualitatives , Été/Summer 1993 , pp. 157 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1993

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