Ten tips for doing qualitative research in veterinary epidemiology

Overview & Synopsis

Qualitative research approaches are increasingly being used in veterinary epidemiology as a means of exploring the perspectives and practices of individuals in relation to topics such as antimicrobial use, biosecurity, and infectious animal diseases, and to inform associated animal health policies. However, veterinary epidemiologists seeking to apply qualitative approaches in their research face a number of challenges – most notably the lack of guidance available for the veterinary community on applying qualitative methods in their field, and the tendency for qualitative research to be evaluated against standards of quality designed for quantitative research. To address these challenges, we have developed guidance on what we believe to be the main priorities for researchers conducting qualitative research in veterinary epidemiology in the form of ‘ten tips.’ These tips include methodological guidance adapted for the vocabulary and research context of veterinary epidemiology, and examples of good practice drawn from the veterinary literature, as well as a resource guide and glossary. This work aims to provide a much-needed resource to support researchers in veterinary epidemiology on applying qualitative approaches in their research.