Just a quick question really - can proper scientific research papers be used for qualitative documentary analysis? I've read that rich historical documents and the like can, but I'm just wondering if the same can be said with papers from scientific studies? Sorry my post isn't as sexually charged as the one below :-)

You can do what you like as long it's justified by your methodology. 'Qual' research is very broad, have you sorted your methodology? Your theoretical direction? This will answer your question.

Thanks Jayney. It's looking like it's going to be a qualitative descriptive method, so I guess I've just answered my own question.

part of my "data" consists of published research papers by medical scientists/doctors. i'm doing discourse analysis on them.

it has made me aware of quite some nuances in writing... and my own writing has become harder!

Shani, I really wouldn't like to use discourse analysis as an analytical framework. You have my admiration!

Super dooper