Future possibilities for qualitative
inquiry
Using the WHO (2008) analysis of health in Asia and
the Pacific, with a particular focus on elderly people’s
health experiences and issues, there are many
qualitative research approaches that can contribute
to raising awareness and bringing about changes.
Given that elderly people in the Asia Pacific region
not only face diseases associated with ageing, but also
environmental health issues, communicable diseases,
non-communicable diseases and health system
development challenges, there is ample scope for
many projects to be undertaken. Whereas quantitative
projects are appropriate choices for research questions
involving cause and effect relationships, trends,
patterns and incidences, qualitative projects are
valuable for research questions relating to people’s
experiences of health and illness and possible means
of transforming their socio-political circumstances.