What Evidence?: Qualitative Publishing in the Canadian Journal for Dietetic Practice and Research
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
30 September 2024
Abstract
Background: Qualitative research involves the analysis of data in various forms (i.e., written text such as interview transcripts, literature, or a personal diary; visual media such as photographs, maps, or memes; and audio materials such as podcasts, music, or voice notes) to describe and/or interpret phenomena and humans’ perceptions and experiences of the world, including of food, health, and well-being. Dietetic-scholars have raised concerns about the dearth and quality of qualitative dietetic research.
Objective: To document the availability and quality of qualitative research published in Canadian dietetic literature.
Methods: A manifest content analysis of articles published in the Canadian Journal of Dietetic Research and Practice (CJDRP) between 2012 and 2021.
Results: In total, 340 articles were published between 2012 and 2021 of which 43 (12.6%) used qualitative methods. Overall, the quality of qualitative articles was poor; articles frequently failed to report the methodological approach or a theoretical framework. Methods of data collection, data analysis, and strategies to ensure rigor were seldom described in detail. Reported limitations were often inappropriate for qualitative research.
Discussion: Qualitative research is markedly underrepresented in the CJDPR. Efforts are needed to ensure that high-quality qualitative research evidence and publishing opportunities are available to Canadian dietetic practitioners and researchers. This study provides baseline data to evaluate the impact of future efforts.
Résumé
Contexte. La recherche qualitative implique d’analyser des données sous diverses formes (textes écrits tels que des transcriptions d’entrevues, de la littérature ou un journal personnel; matériels visuels tels que des photos, des cartes ou des mèmes; et matériels audio tels que des balados, de la musique ou des notes vocales) afin de décrire et/ou d’interpréter des phénomènes, des expériences humaines et des perceptions du monde, y compris en lien avec les aliments, la santé et le bien-être. Des chercheurs en diététique ont soulevé des inquiétudes quant à la rareté et la qualité de la recherche qualitative en diététique.
Objectif. Documenter la disponibilité et la qualité de la recherche qualitative publiée dans la littérature canadienne du domaine de la diététique.Méthodes. Analyse du contenu manifeste des articles publiés dans la Revue canadienne de la pratique et de la recherche en diététique (RCPRD) entre 2012 et 2021.
Résultats. Au total, 340 articles ont été publiés entre 2012 et 2021, dont 43 (12,6 %) incluaient des méthodes qualitatives. Dans l’ensemble, la qualité des articles qualitatifs était faible; les articles omettaient souvent de spécifier l’approche méthodologique ou le cadre théorique. Les méthodes de collecte et d’analyse des données, ainsi que les stratégies visant à garantir la rigueur, étaient rarement décrites en détail. De plus, les limites signalées étaient souvent inappropriées pour une recherche qualitative.
Discussion. La recherche qualitative est nettement sous-représentée dans la RCPRD. Des efforts doivent être déployés pour veiller à ce que les praticiens et chercheurs en diététique canadiens disposent de données de recherche qualitative et d’occasions de publication de grande qualité. Cette étude fournit des données de référence qui permettront d’évaluer l’impact des efforts futurs.
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Financial support: No financial support was sought or received for this research.
Conflicts of interest: None.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
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Pages: 1 - 14
Editor: Naomi Cahill
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Version of record online: 30 September 2024
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© 2024.
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JenniferBradyPhD, RD and AlexandraBromleyMSc. What Evidence?: Qualitative Publishing in the Canadian Journal for Dietetic Practice and Research. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
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https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2024-016
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