Saving time and staying rigorous: The RADaR technique for qualitative research

Abstract

Saving time within a research process is a joy to all qualitative researchers. However, combing a time-saving qualitative approach with a rigorous process and ending up with valid findings is an even bigger pleasure. In this Contemporary Issue, I present the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique as described by Watkins, to disseminate an example of how to master this venture. The RADaR technique is a five-step approach combining data collection, data analysis and reporting of findings in a structured tabular format. Even though the RADaR technique is performed without a philosophical paradigm of basic theoretical beliefs of the researchers and how it influences the steps of their research approach, the advantages of using this technique are considerable. They include eluding extensive periods of abduction and the time-consuming process of transcribing data materials as well as providing an opportunity to include more participants than usual.

Introduction

Research knowledge plays a crucial role in informing decision-making, improving healthcare quality and reducing pressure on the healthcare system by promoting efficiency, innovation and evidence-based practices. By implementing evidence-based practices and knowledge, healthcare providers can optimise patient care, reduce unnecessary procedures and utilise resources more efficiently. This information guides policymakers and healthcare administrators in allocating resources effectively and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

For this endeavour, qualitative research can be used as a method to investigate, explore and describe the subjective experiences and perspectives of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals’ unmet needs and prerequisites for managing within the restraints of the healthcare system. Performing qualitative data analysis can, however, be a time-consuming process with long, abductive interpretations of data transcripts, leading to delays in the implementation of evidence-based knowledge. ¹ It is, therefore, necessary that the qualitative data collection and analysis are performed in a thorough and structured yet timely manner to accommodate the quick implementation of findings. An example of a rapid qualitative process is hereby presented along with the advantages, limitations and reasons for choosing this technique.

The Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction technique

The Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique ² was developed as a rapid qualitative process for collecting, reducing and analysing qualitative data from interviews ² while still producing valid findings.^3,4 The RADaR technique has proven its rigour from the tabular structured data collection and analysis that transpires during the five steps of the method, and its acceleration due to the limited time needed for reviewing and reducing the data tables. ²

The five steps of the RADaR technique cover organised reduction during data collection (step 1) and data analysis (steps 2–5). ² The steps are described below and have been enlightened with examples of a qualitative study performed by the author with colleagues for the Nordic Journal of Nursing Research using the RADaR technique. ⁵

Step 1: Ensuring that all data transcripts are formatted similarly but not in any particular format. ² Interviews, observations or documents are the most common types of qualitative data used, and creating a similar formation of the transcripts can speed up the development of the phase-one data reduction table in Step 2. ² In our qualitative study describing registered nurses’ perceptions of essential factors influencing their desire to stay in the hospital, ⁵ we conformed the interview guide to Rapid Interview Tables for each interview (n = 22) to structure the data similarly from the beginning. To align with the time-saving purpose, the interviews were not transcribed but recorded digitally and used as verifying audio material. ⁵ After each interview, quotes and notes from the audio material were inserted in separate Rapid Interview Tables. ⁵

Step 2: Ordering the formatted transcripts into phase-one data reduction tables. ² Watkins ² describes how text from the transcripts or data documents are copy-pasted into an all-inclusive table. The phase-one table can be created in Microsoft Word or Excel, to keep track of the massive body of data. ² In our qualitative study, ⁵ data from the 22 Rapid Interview Tables were formatted in phase-one data reduction tables. Each phase-one table consisted of one domain from the Rapid Interview Table, which gave us a thorough overview of what all the participating nurses had replied to each domain. ⁵ We provided each reply with a condensed code and notes were written for every code. ⁵

Step 3: Reducing the phase-one table to produce a shorter and more condensed phase-two table. ² This is done as the researchers work through the data in the phase-one tables and observe the areas or concepts important for their research aim. The phase-two table therefore consists of reduced data from the phase-one tables, leaving only the relevant areas of focus for the researchers. For our qualitative study, ⁵ the phase-one tables were condensed to a phase-two table, which was structured according to the domains of the Rapid Interview Tables, containing only codes and the associated notes. ⁵ In that way, we gained a greater overview of the condensed data.

In step 4, Watkins ² suggests that data in the phase-two tables are continuously reduced as many times as necessary, to further condense the presentation of the data. In our qualitative study, we considered this step to be a prolonged version of step 3. ⁵

In step 5, the reporting product is drafted using the condensed codes and themes of the final phase-two tables. ² In our final step of RADaR in our qualitative study (step 4), ⁵ we identified the main factors that were essential for nurses to stay in their hospital positions. The research team ordered the codes into the five most essential factors for the nurses and supported the factors with quotes and notes from the phase-one tables. ⁵

Pros and cons of the RADaR technique

There are several advantages to choosing the RADaR technique for your qualitative study. The analysis is quick and conformed in tables so the researchers can avoid extensive periods of abductive interpretations. A large amount of the analysis consists of copying, pasting, highlighting, and sorting codes and quotes manually.

Watkins ² suggests the researchers transcribe their interviews, based on the notion of formatting the data transcripts similarly. However, the RADaR technique can be performed without transcribing data, as it is a time-consuming process not necessarily coherent with the rapid approach. Vindrola-Padros and Johnson ⁴ explain, in their systematic review of rapid techniques in qualitative research, that transcribing data from interviews is a common step in qualitative research and how researchers must be critical about their reasoning for transcribing data.

Watkins ² describes how the RADaR technique is best suited to manage smaller projects, with a maximum of 15 individual interviews or 10 focus groups, than larger projects with 200 transcripts or more, which should be managed in qualitative data analysis software. However, during the process of conducting the qualitative study, we experienced the possibility to conduct more interviews than usual because of the time-saving process of analysis and the lack of need to transcribe the interviews. Vindrola-Padros and Johnson ⁴ also state that the majority of articles included in their review describe the advantage of not only a reduction of time for analysis but also the possibilities to collect more data and include more participants.

Although there are advantages to choosing the RADaR technique, it is not without limitations. No philosophical paradigm is described by Watkins ² to guide the rapid qualitative process of the RADaR technique. Using a philosophical paradigm, especially within qualitative research, can be beneficial to link the need for knowledge (aims) with the means of producing that knowledge (methods) and to ensure that aims and methods are epistemologically and ontologically integrated. ⁶ A paradigm is a set of basic beliefs or a frame of reference that explains how individuals perceive the nature of the world and their places in it. ⁶ The choice of paradigm represents the researcher's world view and in turn shapes the methods used in the research. Therefore, understanding that the choice of paradigm and the means of choosing is important as it influences all aspects of the research process. However, it is not a methodological requirement to adapt a philosophical paradigm to your qualitative research and it is also left out in traditional qualitative analysis, such as thematic analysis and content analysis.

So, when should you choose the RADaR technique for your qualitative study? Vindrola-Padros and Johnson ⁴ present six reasons in their systematic review for why researchers have chosen a rapid qualitative method: to reduce time, reduce cost, increase the amount of collected data, improve efficiency, improve accuracy and obtain a closer description of the participants’ statements. Reducing time was the most frequent reason for choosing a rapid qualitative method. ⁴ Luciani and colleagues ⁷ described how they used a rapid qualitative research approach to investigate triaging care during COVID-19 and how their reasoning was to build evidence quickly for decision-makers in the context of a healthcare emergency. In the qualitative study used to example the RADaR technique description, we chose RADaR to secure quick and evidence-based knowledge on how to retain nurses at medical units, which was and is of urgent matter. ⁵

Essentially, the RADaR technique is just another variation of a qualitative process but if your time frame is short and your subject requires urgent implementation in patient care, the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction technique for qualitative studies could be the choice for you.