Abstract

MERCADO-MARTINEZ, Francisco J; DIAZ, Blanca A; TEJADA-TABAYAS, Luz María  and  ASCENCIO-MERA, Carlos D. Qualitative health research: a critical review of recent work in Mexico. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2011, vol.53, n.6, pp.504-512. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE: This paper critically examines recent work on qualitative health research (QHR) in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was conducted of 128 articles published between 2000 and 2009. A literature search was done drawing together a verse of indexes, search engine, data bases and citations, as well as interviewing researchers. A frequency and content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: QHR has expanded significantly, both nationally and internationally, and papers published in public health and social medicine journals. However, several factors impede its consolidation: the institutional, territorial and thematic concentration of studies, the dependency on grounded theory, the selective nature of the research topics and populations; and its marginal scientific impact. CONCLUSIONS: QHR has grown in México, but its consolidation faces serious challenges. Several proposals are discussed that could strengthen the field.

Keywords : qualitative research; health; review; Mexico.

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