title: Qualitative research in dentistry.
abstract: This paper is the first in a series of four that provides an overview of the key elements of qualitative research. In particular, it discusses issues such as what qualitative research is, when its use is appropriate, what it can offer dentistry and approaches to data collection and analysis. Where appropriate, examples of dental studies that have used qualitative methods are also provided for practical purposes.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 2AA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Treasure
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D018865:Dental Research / Q000379:methods*; D004282:Documentation; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D019370:Observation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D009626:Terminology as Topic