Differences in application of interview method among three qualitative research methods in nursing

PENG Jiangyun; SHI Chongqing

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2026.01.016

Abstract：Objective:To explore the differences in the application of interview method among grounded theory research,phenomenological research,and Q methodology in nursing qualitative research,so as to improve nursing researchers' ability to distinguish these three methods and provide references for method selection.Methods:From the perspective of the interview method,a systematic collation and comparative analysis were conducted on the differences among grounded theory research,phenomenological research,and Q methodology in five aspects:application scope,interview sample selection,data collection,content analysis,and result presentation.Results:There were significant differences in interview strategies among the three methods.Grounded theory emphasizes theory generation and adopts theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis;phenomenology focuses on the essence of life experience,with an emphasis on in-depth description and theme extraction;Q methodology integrates qualitative and quantitative methods to reveal subjective structures through statement sorting and factor analysis.Each method has its own focus in sample selection,data processing,and result expression,and should be selected reasonably according to the research question.Conclusions:Nursing researchers should accurately grasp the methodological differences in the application of interview method among grounded theory,phenomenological research,and Q methodology,and select appropriate methods according to the research purpose.This will help improve the scientificity and rigor of research and promote the standardized application of qualitative research in the field of nursing.