Research methods are important because they refer to the approaches used in conducting researches. The research methods are categorized into two, which are qualitative methods and quantitative methods. However, the article, ‘’ Medical history of discordant twins and environmental etiologies of autism'' by Willfors et al. (2017) uses a qualitative approach. In light of this, it is imperative to analyze the qualitative approach used in the article and how it meets the criteria for qualitative research.
The qualitative method used in the article is grounded theory. In analyzing the article and how it uses grounded theory, it is important to note what grounded theory entails ( Glaser & Strauss, 2017) . Grounded theory is a set of systematic inductive methods aimed at theory development. Grounded theory as a guideline provides a guideline on the identification of categories and linking categories and the establishment of relationships between the categories. Categories refer to grouping together of instances, which share central characteristics (Lewis, 2015). However, there is a process for the identification of categories, which is known as coding. To maintain the momentum of coding, there is constant comparative analysis, which involves moving back and forth between the identification of similarities between emerging categories and differences between them.
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The research study design meets the criteria for the qualitative method because it has used the grounded theory, which is a qualitative method ( Glaser & Strauss, 2017) . To begin with, there is the comparative analysis that looks into the similarities among the discordant twins in regards to their feeding and sleeping problems and excessing crying and worrying as well as differences between them. The early medical history is analyzed in regards to the categories to identify the similarities in the development of a theory. Besides, the hypothesis that was being tested is the cumulative environment effect on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The study reveals that early medical events are linked to ASD phenotypes and continuously distributed autistic traits. The continuous distribution of autistic traits was present for early dysregulation and the cumulative load of different early medical events (Willfors et al., 2017). The study supported previous studies that low birth weight to be linked with ASD risk. However, it stressed the importance of early detection since it was a requirement for early intervention. The strengths of the study were the control of IQ and the diagnosis of ADHD therefore which meant that the results were specific to ASD. In addition, the results were not limited to clinical ASD phenotypes but were valid for autistic traits (Willfors et al., 2017). It supported the argument that ASD forms the extreme end of a trait continuum. The study strived to support information on the cumulative load of early medical events can qualify to be specified in the context of ASD evaluation.
The study found that a load of adversely early medical events is linked with ASD and autistic traits. In addition, there is an association between ASD, dysregulation and autistic traits. The early medical events were likely to be pushed by non-shared environmental (Willfors et al., 2017). Besides, the cumulative load of early medical events is informative in the early detection of ASD. The article provides the best example of how qualitative methods are used in researches. It adheres to the criteria of the qualitative method and ensures that the aim of the research is adequately met.
References
Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). Discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research . Routledge.
Lewis, S. (2015). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Health promotion practice , 16 (4), 473-475.
Willfors, C., Carlsson, T., Anderlid, B. M., Nordgren, A., Kostrzewa, E., Berggren, S., & Bölte, S. (2017). Medical history of discordant twins and environmental etiologies of autism. Translational psychiatry , 7 (1), e1014.