Methodological Issues of Qualitative Research on End-of-Life Care Among Older Korean Immigrants in the United States
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2411995 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hyeyoung K Park (0000-0002-8242-0943), Cristina C Hendrix (0000-0003-3220-633X), Sharron L Docherty (0000-0003-2465-9179), Kimberly S Johnson (0000-0002-0748-6010), Ruth A Anderson (0000-0001-6640-644X) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Qualitative Methods (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1609-4069 • E-ISSN: 1609-4069 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1177/16094069251343135 |
| OpenAlex | W4410449445 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 37 |
Qualitative research, rooted in interpretivism, is valuable for studying immigrant populations and understanding cultural influences on health behaviors. However, few studies have explored the methodological challenges of researching older Korean U.S. immigrants, particularly on sensitive topics like end-of-life care, which requires deep cultural understanding. This paper examines the challenges encountered during a pilot study on end-of-life care among older Korean U.S. immigrants. In addition to identifying key methodological obstacles, we highlight strategies to improve future research on sensitive topics within immigrant communities. Our study, informed by existing literature, faced unexpected challenges at every stage-recruitment, data collection, and analysis-each requiring careful adaptation. First, recruitment posed significant challenges. Many participants were hesitant to discuss end-of-life care due to cultural stigma, fearing it might invite misfortune. Some resisted signing consent forms, unfamiliar with Western research protocols and concerned about potential consequences. Others expected structured surveys rather than open-ended interviews, making engagement difficult. Second, conducting interviews brought additional hurdles. The setting needed to feel neutral, as medical or religious environments influenced responses. Language proficiency varied, requiring interpreters and adjusted phrasing. Discussions about end-of-life care sometimes triggered emotional distress, necessitating sensitivity and frequent check-ins. Third, data analysis required careful consideration. Translating nuanced Korean expressions into English was challenging, as some terms lacked direct equivalents. Case vignettes also needed thoughtful adaptation to ensure cultural relevance and avoid bias. Finally, participant feedback led to important revisions, reinforcing the value of involving participants throughout the research process. Engaging them early and reflecting on challenges afterward can improve study design and data quality. By addressing these methodological hurdles, this study provides practical insights for strengthening qualitative research on immigrant populations, particularly when exploring sensitive topics
End-of-life care · Immigration · Palliative care · Political science · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Korean Peninsula Historical and Political Studies · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology
Literature review
The application of vignettes in social and nursing research
Developing Instruments for Cross-Cultural Psychiatric Research
“Placing” Interviews
Working With Translators and Interpreters in Research
Challenges and Approaches to Newcomer Health Research
Cultural Competence in Qualitative Interview Methods with Asian Immigrants
Qualitative Research on the Attitudes Toward Teenage Sexual Behavior of Chinese British Families
Recruitment of racial/ethnic minority older adults through community sites for focus group discussions
Is Anonymity an Artifact in Ethnographic Research
The ethical challenges of researching refugee education
Vignette development and administration
Emerging themes in using narrative in geriatric care
Introduction
Methodological issues in conducting research with refugee women
Qualitative inquiry and research design
First-generation Korean immigrants' barriers to healthcare and their coping strategies in the US
Timing of Translation in Cross-Language Qualitative Research
A Discourse of Relationships in Bioethics
Considerations of Methodological Approaches in the Recruitment and Retention of Immigrant Participants
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |