Improving the visibility and description of theory in qualitative research: The QUANTUM typology

The relationship between theory and qualitative research has been much debated. In 2014, based on an analysis of qualitative studies, we published a five-point typology on the levels of visibility expounded in such studies. The typology captured a range of theoretical visibility – from seemingly absent to consistently applied. In 2020, we undertook a project to critique and revise the typology, guided by the ADAPT-ITT framework. ADAPT-ITT was developed originally to inform the adaptation of evidence-based interventions to new geographic regions, cultural contexts or populations related to HIV. It has subsequently evolved as a helpful framework in a number of health and social fields. The ADAPT-ITT framework provides a systematic, stepwise process that allows existing interventions to be adapted, rather than creating new interventions unnecessarily. The use of ADAPT-ITT to guide the adaptation of a methodological framework (as opposed to a health intervention) is novel and we used it flexibly, as reported in this article. Core to this process was the engagement of 14 international qualitative research experts, drawn mainly from health and social science disciplines. The outcome was a revised typology, presented in this article. We offer this as a reflexive aide for the conduct and reporting of qualitative research.