Qualitative Research in the Health Professions

Qualitative research can provide a great depth of understanding for health professionals in practice. Although many general research texts used in health discipline research courses present a broad spectrum of research methods, their discussion of qualitative methods is often limited. Qualitative Research in the Health Professions by Drs. William A. Pitney, Jenny Parker, Stephanie M. Mazerolle, and Kelly Potteiger, is a practical and straightforward text for those learning about qualitative research in the health professions.  

In Qualitative Research in the Health Professions, readers will acquire skills in mastering:
•    Introductory concepts of qualitative research, how it compares to quantitative research, and how to conceptualize a qualitative study 
•    How to conduct a qualitative research study and present findings, including sections on collecting and analyzing data, ensuring trustworthiness of the data, and attending to ethical issues 
•    Advanced concepts including various forms of qualitative research, how to mix quantitative and qualitative methods, and how to evaluate qualitative research 

Each chapter includes activities and exercises to further students’ understanding and the text also includes personal commentaries from scholarly practitioners in various health professions underscoring the value and importance of qualitative research. Qualitative Research in the Health Professionswill help current and future practitioners master the principles of qualitative research, understand published qualitative studies, and apply these findings in furthering evidence-based practice. 

About the Editors

William A. Pitney, EdD, ATC, FNATA is currently a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and Acting Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Northern Illinois University. Prior to this appointment, Pitney served as the Associate Dean for Research, Resources, and Innovation in the College of Education, as well as the Director of the Athletic Training Program. Pitney has been an athletic trainer for over 30 years. He earned his bachelor’s of science degree from Indiana State University, his master’s of science degree from Eastern Michigan University, and his doctorate of education degree from Northern Illinois University. He has practiced as an athletic trainer in the high school and college settings, as well as the outpatient rehabilitation setting. For the last 24 years, he has worked in higher education. Dr. Pitney served 2 terms as the editor-­in-­chief of the Athletic Training Education Journal and as a section editor for the Journal of Athletic Training. He currently serves on the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Foundation research committee and is the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Research Assistance Committee Chair. He is a fellow of NATA and, with over 65 peer-­reviewed journal articles, 5 textbooks, and more than 75 professional pre­sen­ta­tions, he is recognized as a leader and scholar in the athletic training profession.

Jenny Parker, EdD is the Associate Vice Provost for Educator Licensure and Preparation at Northern Illinois University. She is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and former Program Director of the Physical Education Teacher Education Program. Dr. Parker has published numerous peer-­reviewed articles, 1 co-­authored book, and 2 book chapters, and has presented at the state, regional, national, and international levels. She has reviewed for several journals in the field and has obtained internal and external research and instructional grant funding. Dr. Parker earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education at the College of St. Paul and St. Mary in ­England and earned her master’s degree in physical education teaching analy­sis from the University of Oregon in 1991. She earned her EdD in physical education teacher education from the University of Mas­sa­chu­setts in 1996. She has received the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award and the Outstanding Educator Award from Northern Illinois University and has been recognized nationally for her mentoring of undergraduate and gradu­ate students in physical education.

Stephanie Mazerolle Singe, PhD, ATC, FNATA is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut. She has published more than 100 peer-­reviewed articles on subjects related to work-­life balance, professional commitment and retention, and professional socialization. The platform of this work is qualitative in nature. Her work has focused on determining ­factors that contribute to work-­life conflict for the athletic trainer working in a variety of settings, as well as strategies that can minimize the negative impact of ­those conflicts. Her research efforts have also included gaining an appreciation of the complex and dynamic pro­cess on how an athletic trainer gains understanding of their varied roles within the profession as a means to facilitate improved role inductance and continuance. She is the lead author on NATA’s position statement on work-­life balance in athletic training. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Athletic Training and International Journal of Athletic Training and Therapy. She is the co-­chair of the NATA Foundation’s Faculty Mentor program and currently serves on several National Committees including the Fellows Committee, the Student Writing Contest Committee, and the ­Free Communications Committee. Dr. Mazerolle Singe earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, in 2000; her master’s degree in athletic training from the Old Dominion University in 2002; and her doctorate in kinesiology and sports management from the University of Connecticut in 2005.

Kelly Potteiger, PhD, ATC is a certified athletic trainer who is engaged in both education and clinical practice. In addition to her PhD degree from Rocky Mountain University, Dr. Potteiger holds a bachelor’s of science degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s of science degree from the University of North Texas. Her clinical and research focus is selected topics related to athletic training education, such as perceptions of post-professional educational programs and clinical confidence. She publishes and pre­sents over a broad range of topics related to athletic training, environmental sustainability, and creating interactive academic learning environments to promote best practices. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, where she is a Professor of Athletic Training at North Park University.

Contributing Author
Christianne M. Eason, PhD, ATC is currently an Assistant Professor and serves as the graduate coordinator for the School of Health Sciences at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts. Dr. Eason earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from the University of Connecticut, her master’s degree in nutrition and physical activity from James Madison University, and her PhD in sport management from the University of Connecticut.