The most distinctive

characteristics of qualitative research include using small sample groups and

often utilizing interviews as a design mechanism. Although qualitative research

is often undermined due to its lack of statistical data, the articles, Listening

to Older Adults’ Values and Preferences for Type 2 Diabetes Care: A Qualitative

Study and A Qualitative Study of Perceived Responsibility and Self-Blame

in Type 2 Diabetes: Reflections of Physicians and Patients provide proof of

the method’s feasibility. The articles focus on the emotional needs and impacts

of diabetes type 2 on older patients and physicians.

One of the key roles

of qualitative research is to undertake an in-depth analysis of the

participants’ opinions, prejudices, beliefs, and perspectives on the research

issue. The Beverly et al. (2012) article focuses on the emotional state of both

patients and physicians after failing to actualize a treatment plan. The

article’s use of semi-structured interviews ensures that it contains an extensive

understanding of the emotional state of both parties. The informal nature of

qualitative surveys also encourages openness, thus improving the quality of the

study. For instance, physicians may deny having experienced distress or

feelings of self-blame due to a patient’s deteriorating health in stiff and

formal interviews. Face-to-face interviews or phone calls also gives

participants enough time to expand on their answers.

Qualitative research

also plays a significant role in providing evidence-based results. For example,

the Beverly et al. (2014) article shows that older populations suffering from

diabetes prefer transparency in their patient-physician relations. Participants

with high levels of communication with physicians reported to have effective self-management

routines. Although the study only used 25 older adults, it received extensive

and evidence-based results on methods of improving diabetes management. In

general, qualitative research on individual responses to medical conditions

helps physicians in creating better management and treatment methods (Woodsong

et al., 2011).