title: Seeking to understand: using generic qualitative research to explore access to medicines and pharmacy services among resettled refugees.
abstract: Introduction There are challenges associated with selecting a qualitative research approach. In a field abundant with terminology and theories, it may be difficult for a pharmacist to know where and how to begin a qualitative research journey. The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into generic qualitative research and to describe the journey of data collection of a novice qualitative researcher in the quest to answer her research question: 'What are the barriers to accessing medicines and pharmacy services for resettled refugees in Queensland, Australia?' Methodology Generic qualitative research draws on the strengths of one or more qualitative approaches. The aim is to draw out participants' ideas about things that are 'outside themselves'; rather than focussing on their inner feelings the research seeks to understand a phenomenon, a process, or the perspectives of participants. Sampling is designed to obtain a broad range of opinions about events and experiences and data collection includes interviews, questionnaires or surveys; thematic analysis is often used to analyse data. When to use Generic qualitative research provides an opportunity to develop research designs that fit researchers' epistemological stance and discipline, with research choices, including methodology and methods, being informed by the research question. Limitations Generic qualitative research is one of many methodologies that may be used to answer a research question and there is a paucity of literature about how to do it well. There is also debate about its validity as a qualitative methodology.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. k.bellamy@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bellamy
authors.affiliation: Rural Clinical School Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Ipswich, Australia.
authors.forename: Remo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ostini
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nataly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kairuz
mesh_terms: D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D000070838:Pharmacy Research / Q000379:methods*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: Access to medicines; Access to pharmacy services; Methodology; Qualitative research