This document provides background and objectives for creating a LibGuide to support qualitative researchers in the health sciences. It notes an increasing interest in and use of qualitative research methods but challenges in finding relevant materials due to poor indexing, unfamiliar terminology, and lack of knowledge about social science resources. The guide aims to provide information on publishing qualitative research, finding articles, resources for training and support, and integrating qualitative research into systematic reviews, for both UNC and non-UNC users. It describes the methods used to collect resources, including scanning websites, searching guides and databases, and consulting with experts. The document outlines next steps such as soliciting feedback and considering additional topics.

1. Background
Impetus for this LibGuide:
• Increasing patron requests for librarian support about:
o Locating qualitative studies
o Writing and publishing qualitative research
o Locating campus resources that offer training, help, and support to qualitative researchers
• The guide and poster authors’ prior experience with qualitative methods
The use of qualitative studies and methods in the health sciences is increasing,1 but researchers and clinicians may have difficulty
finding pertinent materials:
• Qualitative studies are poorly indexed in common health science databases, such as PubMed.
• Individuals involved in the health sciences often do not have knowledge of the social science resources where information on
qualitative research may be found more easily.
• Health science researchers are often unfamiliar with qualitative terminology and methodology that have developed in other fields.
Objective To create a guide specifically for patrons in the health sciences, and the librarians who support them, that:
• Includes information (for UNC and non-UNC users) about publishing qualitative research, finding articles on qualitative studies in
electronic databases, and incorporating qualitative research into systematic reviews.
• Includes information (for UNC users) about on-campus resources for those wanting to learn more about qualitative research.
Methods
Collecting Resources for the LibGuide:
• We scanned UNC websites, particularly of specific offices/departments that we knew had qualitative-related activities.
• We searched LibGuides for similar academic library guides using the terms “qualitative searching” and “qualitative research.”
• We combed class resource lists and searched common health science databases, like PubMed and CINAHL, for references on the topic.
Challenges
• Determining the scope of the guide, given the variety of information needs for this topic.
• Finding materials across disciplines with differing terminologies and approaches, which change over time.
• Seeking partnerships with disciplinary practitioners and qualitative specialists. In some cases navigating term and disciplinary
differences goes beyond librarian expertise.
• Formatting the guide to meet diverse information needs.
• Making the guide useful both locally (at UNC) and globally
Next
Steps
• Solicit feedback from experts in qualitative methods and social sciences.
• Solicit feedback from students, staff, and faculty who have requested the guide and/or will use it.
• Consider requests for additional topics (e.g., implementation science).
Qualitative Research Basics
Books
Databases
Websites
Training Opportunities at UNC
Training at UNC’s Odum Institute
Qualitative Certificate Programs at UNC
Workshops
Help at UNC
Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science
Communication for Health Applications & Interventions Core
Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
NC Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute at UNC
Qualitative Software for Coding/Analysis
Acquiring Software
Coding Software
Online Software Tutorials
Qualitative Software for Audio, Video, Online Surveys
Audio and Video Software
Online Survey: Qualtrics
Tutorials on Lynda
Finding Qualitative Studies
Journal Articles
Web Resources
Ready-Built Sets of Search Terms
Assessing Qualitative Research
Articles
Websites
Writing Up Your Research
Writing Conventions for Qualitative Research
Books
Integrating Qualitative Research into Systematic Reviews
Articles
Search the UNC Library Catalog
Books
Websites/Tutorials
Publishing Qualitative Research
Journal Selection Considerations
Evaluating Journal Quality
Journals Dedicated to Qualitative Health Research
Selected Health Journals Publishing Qualitative Research
Articles
User Inspired: A Libguide to Support Qualitative (Re)Searchers
Chana Kraus-Friedberg, Ph.D., MSLS student1, 2, Barbara Rochen Renner, Ph.D.1,3 Author Affiliations:
1Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill 2School of Library and Information Science, UNC-Chapel Hill 3Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine, UNC-Chapel Hill
Visit our Guide!
Literature
Cited
1. Heasman, B. and Reader, T.W (2015) What can acute medicine learn from qualitative methods? Current Opin Crit Care 21(5):460-6. doi:
10.1097/MCC.0000000000000234