METHODS
This analysis is part of a longitudinal study investigating the use of telehealth in the home health industry. The intent in using a qualitative approach to study management practices is to gain a deeper level of understanding than can typically be achieved from traditional survey methods. As compared to quantitative research that uses deductive logic and tests a priori hypotheses, the qualitative researcher uses inductive logic, building and revising research questions from experiences in the field. Both approaches are valid; the point of using a combined approach is to foster a holistic basis for understanding complex social phenomena that cannot be fully understood by quantitative methods alone.