title: Methods of qualitative research in dentistry: a review.
abstract: Over the last decade, researchers in health services research started using qualitative research methods. This has led to a corresponding rise in the reporting of the qualitative research studies in medical and related journals, including dental journals. Qualitative research is often contrasted with quantitative research as a set of 'non quantitative methods', since it does not deal with numbers and enumerate phenomena. It interprets the information people bring to research, which helps us to understand social phenomena in natural settings like their own territory, in their own language and on their own terms, giving emphasis to the meaning, experience and view of all the participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article will help the clinician to understand the importance of in-depth knowledge of behaviour and social phenomena around the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.forename: Yaghma
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.forename: Tim J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D018865:Dental Research / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards; D032984:Ethics, Research; D015438:Health Behavior; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012931:Social Environment