CAHSS Faculty Articles
Title
Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families
Department
Department of Family Therapy
Publication Date
2002
Publication Title
Death Studies
ISSN
0748-1187
Volume
26
Issue/No.
3
First Page
255
Last Page
271
Abstract
This article illustrates the use of qualitative research methods in the field of thanatology. The authors - a former doctoral candidate and her dissertation chair - describe their ongoing naturalistic inquiry of terminally ill persons and their family members. By describing the reasoning and decision-making informing their study, the authors provide an instructive "how to" on the following topics: finding a research question and a method; assessing risks and benefits; sampling; gaining entry/access to research informants; participant observation; interviewing; analyzing data, and establishing "relational integrity." In a final section, the first author offers reflections on the personal challenges she faced while conducting her research.
NSUWorks Citation
Wright, K., & Flemons, D. G. (2002). Dying to Know: Qualitative Research with Terminally Ill Persons and their Families. Death Studies, 26 (3), 255-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481180211268
DOI
10.1080/07481180211268
