title: Why we need qualitative research in suicidology.
abstract: Using the differentiation between explanations and understanding from philosophy of science as the point of departure, a critical look at the current mainstream suicidological research was launched. An almost exclusive use of quantitative methodology focusing on explanations is demonstrated. This bias in scope and methodology has to a large extent taken the suicidological field into a dead-end of repetitious research. It is argued that an increased focus on understanding and thus extended use of qualitative methodology is essential in bringing the suicidological field forward.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim NO-7491, Norway. Heidi.Hjelmeland@svt.ntnu.no
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hjelmeland
authors.forename: Birthe Loa
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Knizek
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013405:Suicide