title: Qualitative research in medicine - An art to be nurtured.
abstract: To acquire complete knowledge on a subject both qualitative and quantitative research methods need to be perused by researchers. However, over the period of time qualitative research teaching among medical professionals has reduced. Wisdom amongst doctors seems getting muddled in 'data'. Operational research as well as health systems research have been the basis of 'key' policy changes in situations and programmes including polio immunization to achieve desired objectives. Both qualitative and quantitative methods complement each other and cannot replace one another. We need to protect the 'endangered art' of qualitative research before it becomes extinct from medical schools.
authors.affiliation: Commandant, Military Hospital Nasirabad, C/o 56 APO, India.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.affiliation: Resident, Dept of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune 411040, India.
authors.forename: Gurpreet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Dept of Community Medicine, DADH, 17 Mountain Division, C/o 99 APO, India.
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pandya
keywords: Medical research; Operational research; Qualitative research