A Quality Approach to Qualitative Content Analysis: Similarities and Differences Compared to Other Qualitative Methods

Abstract

Qualitative content analysis is a method that shares many of the unique attributes associated with all qualitative research methods. These shared attributes extend to a key consideration in all qualitative research designs, i.e., the integration of quality concepts at each step of the research process. In this article I discuss one such approach, the total quality framework. With this framework at hand, researchers can think about quality in qualitative research regardless of the qualitative method, including qualitative content analysis. For example, quality constructs associated with sampling, researcher effects, and data verification in qualitative content analysis are not unlike those in the in-depth interview, focus group, or observation method. There are, however, a few quality considerations distinctive to the qualitative content analysis method, such as the definition of "data" and the necessary thick description associated with the two-phase, eight-step qualitative content analysis process. In this article I discuss the similarities and differences between the qualitative content analysis method and other qualitative methods from a quality perspective; specifically, the total quality framework.