AbstractThe aims of this paper were to clarify the nature and purpose of qualitative research and to suggest specific guidelines for reporting the results of qualitative studies. Confusion about the purpose of qualitative research and the absence of a standardized format for reporting such research make it difficult to assess the validity of qualitative studies. Four general purposes of qualitative research were discussed: instrument development, illustration of results, description, and conceptualization. A framework for reporting qualitative research that provides a guide for assuring consistency across original study purpose, study design, and final report was presented and can be used for either evaluating or writing a report of qualitative research.