A group of nurses is researching how care providers of Stage I/II Alzheimer's clients use prior coping skills in dealing with their current situation. Which qualitative research tradition are these nurses using?

Question

1. Grounded theory
2. Ethnography
3. Phenomenology
4. Substantive dimension

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Grounded theory is research to understand social structures and social processes.
Rationale 2: Ethnography is research that provides a framework to focus on the culture of a group of people.
Rationale 3: Phenomenology is research that investigates people's life experiences and how they interpret those experiences. Using prior coping skills (life experiences) and applying them to current situations in order to interpret the process of Alzheimer's disease is an example of phenomenology.
Rationale 4: Substantive dimension is not a research tradition, rather a way to critique research reports.