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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Study design synopsis: From the horse’s mouth: Qualita...
Equine veterinary journal2021; 53(5); 867-871; doi: 10.1111/evj.13436

Study design synopsis: From the horse’s mouth: Qualitative methods for equine veterinary research.

Abstract: No abstract available
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Publication Date: 2021-04-07 PubMed ID: 33826162DOI: 10.1111/evj.13436Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The paper discusses how qualitative research methods are useful in understanding human-animal relationships, specifically those between horse owners and their horses. It highlights the value of these methods in studying less-known issues like how owners decide on their horse’s health and the challenges faced in keeping the horses at a healthy weight.

Research Options in Veterinary Science

  • The research paper accentuates the increasing use and acceptance of qualitative research methods in veterinary science, especially when dealing with issues that are not well-understood.
  • The researchers specify examples where qualitative methods have produced insightful results, such as understanding the ‘obesogenic’ environment around horses, revealing reasons owners might not consult a vet during an equine colic, and the hurdles farmers confront in executing cattle lameness prevention steps.
  • This information provides veterinarians a different perspective on why people behave in ways that seem puzzling or irrational, thus potentially improving animal care.

Understanding Qualitative Research

  • The researchers define qualitative research as an approach that studies the qualities of a phenomenon, rather than its quantities. This method is essential in understanding the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of an issue.
  • As an example, to study equine obesity, qualitative research might analyze how owners recognize an overweight horse or the environmental and social reasons that make it tough for the owner to keep their horse at a healthy weight.
  • Qualitative research takes into account the lived experiences and motivations of people involved, environmental or societal factors contributing to a phenomenon, and the alignment of people’s attitudes about the phenomenon and its scientific understanding.

Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

  • The paper also discusses the complementary nature of qualitative and quantitative research methods. These methods often provide contrasting data, creating a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.
  • So-called “mixed methods” use both approaches. For example, interviews (qualitative) can inform the construction of a questionnaire (quantitative) to gather broader data about the occurrence rate, extent, etc., of a phenomenon.
  • Alternatively, qualitative analyses can help provide richer explanations of findings from a quantitative study.

Cite This Article

APA
Furtado T, Christley R. (2021). Study design synopsis: From the horse’s mouth: Qualitative methods for equine veterinary research. Equine Vet J, 53(5), 867-871. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13436

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 5
Pages: 867-871

Researcher Affiliations

Furtado, Tamzin
  • Department of Infection, Veterinary and Epidemiological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Christley, Robert
  • Department of Infection, Veterinary and Epidemiological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Mouth
  • Research Design

References

This article includes 20 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Furtado T, Preshaw L, Hockenhull J, Wathan J, Douglas J, Horseman S, Smith R, Pollard D, Pinchbeck G, Rogers J, Hall C. How Happy Are Equine Athletes? Stakeholder Perceptions of Equine Welfare Issues Associated with Equestrian Sport. Animals (Basel) 2021 Nov 12;11(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11113228pubmed: 34827960google scholar: lookup
  2. Nankervis K, MacKechnie-Guire R, Maddock C, Pyatt A. Experiences of Interdisciplinary Working from the Perspective of the Society of Master Saddlers Qualified Saddle Fitters. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 7;14(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14040559pubmed: 38396527google scholar: lookup
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