Qualitative research: the soft option?

Qualitative research is increasingly becoming recognised as a legitimate and important methodological approach within the multidisciplinary field of health promotion and public health. With this growth in popularity has come a lack of attention to the intellectual demands of this approach and the need for seriously strengthening the skills and expertise needed to conduct good qualitative studies. Some common problems found in qualitative research proposals being considered in the public health field are highlighted and discussed. (non-author abstract)