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Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR)*
http://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/srqr/
Page/line no(s).
Title and abstract
Title - Concise description of the nature and topic of the study Identifying the
study as qualitative or indicating the approach (e.g., ethnography, grounded
theory) or data collection methods (e.g., interview, focus group) is
recommended
Page 1 line 1
Abstract - Summary of key elements of the study using the abstract format of
the intended publication; typically includes background, purpose, methods,
results, and conclusions
Page 2 line 1
Introduction
Problem formulation - Description and significance of the
problem/phenomenon studied; review of relevant theory and empirical work;
problem statement
Page 3 lines 1-41
Purpose or research question - Purpose of the study and specific objectives or
questions
Page 3 lines 37-41
Methods
Qualitative approach and research paradigm - Qualitative approach (e.g.,
ethnography, grounded theory, case study, phenomenology, narrative research)
and guiding theory if appropriate; identifying the research paradigm (e.g.,
postpositivist, constructivist/ interpretivist) is also recommended; rationale**
Page 4 line 25
Researcher characteristics and reflexivity - Researchers’ characteristics that
may influence the research, including personal attributes,
qualifications/experience, relationship with participants, assumptions, and/or
presuppositions; potential or actual interaction between researchers’
characteristics and the research questions, approach, methods, results, and/or
transferability
Page 1 lines 9-10
Page 4 lines 25-30
Context - Setting/site and salient contextual factors; rationale**
Page 4 lines 2-16
Sampling strategy - How and why research participants, documents, or events
were selected; criteria for deciding when no further sampling was necessary
(e.g., sampling saturation); rationale**
Page 4 lines 2-16
Figure 1
Ethical issues pertaining to human subjects - Documentation of approval by an
appropriate ethics review board and participant consent, or explanation for lack
thereof; other confidentiality and data security issues
Page 4 lines 3-4
Figure 1
Data collection methods - Types of data collected; details of data collection
procedures including (as appropriate) start and stop dates of data collection and
analysis, iterative process, triangulation of sources/methods, and modification
of procedures in response to evolving study findings; rationale**
Page 4 lines 9-
page 5 line 2
Figure 1
2
Data collection instruments and technologies - Description of instruments (e.g.,
interview guides, questionnaires) and devices (e.g., audio recorders) used for
data collection; if/how the instrument(s) changed over the course of the study
Page 4 lines 9-
page 5 line 2
Figure 1
Supplementary
appendix 1
Units of study - Number and relevant characteristics of participants, documents,
or events included in the study; level of participation (could be reported in
results)
Page 5 lines 4-8
Table 1
Data processing - Methods for processing data prior to and during analysis,
including transcription, data entry, data management and security, verification
of data integrity, data coding, and anonymization/de-identification of excerpts
Figure 1
Page 4 lines 25 –
page 5 line 2
Data analysis - Process by which inferences, themes, etc., were identified and
developed, including the researchers involved in data analysis; usually
references a specific paradigm or approach; rationale**
Page 4 lines 25 –
page 5 line 2
Techniques to enhance trustworthiness - Techniques to enhance
trustworthiness and credibility of data analysis (e.g., member checking, audit
trail, triangulation); rationale**
Page 4 lines 25 –
page 5 line 2
Supplementary
appendix 2
Results/findings
Synthesis and interpretation - Main findings (e.g., interpretations, inferences,
and themes); might include development of a theory or model, or integration
with prior research or theory
Page 5 line 23-
page 11 line 22
Supplementary
appendix 4
Links to empirical data - Evidence (e.g., quotes, field notes, text excerpts,
photographs) to substantiate analytic findings
Page 5 line 23-
page 11 line 22
Discussion
Integration with prior work, implications, transferability, and contribution(s)
to the field - Short summary of main findings; explanation of how findings and
conclusions connect to, support, elaborate on, or challenge conclusions of
earlier scholarship; discussion of scope of application/generalizability;
identification of unique contribution(s) to scholarship in a discipline or field
Page 11 line 24 –
page 12 line 25
Limitations - Trustworthiness and limitations of findings
Page 12 line 32-40
Other
Conflicts of interest - Potential sources of influence or perceived influence on
study conduct and conclusions; how these were managed
Page 14 line 17-18
Funding - Sources of funding and other support; role of funders in data
collection, interpretation, and reporting
Page 14 line 7-16
*The authors created the SRQR by searching the literature to identify guidelines,
reporting standards, and critical appraisal criteria for qualitative research; reviewing the
reference lists of retrieved sources; and contacting experts to gain feedback. The SRQR
aims to improve the transparency of all aspects of qualitative research by providing clear
standards for reporting qualitative research.
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**The rationale should briefly discuss the justification for choosing that theory,
approach, method, or technique rather than other options available, the assumptions
and limitations implicit in those choices, and how those choices influence study
conclusions and transferability. As appropriate, the rationale for several items might be
discussed together.
Reference:
O'Brien BC, Harris IB, Beckman TJ, Reed DA, Cook DA. Standards for reporting
qualitative research: a synthesis of recommendations. Academic Medicine, Vol. 89, No.
9 / Sept 2014
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000388
