Advancing Complexity Theory as a Qualitative Research Methodology

Although complexity theory is increasingly used to explain and understand complex health-system behavior, little is known about utilizing complexity theory to augment qualitative research methods. We advance this field by describing our use of complexity theory as a qualitative research methodology to explore sustainable health-care responses to intimate partner violence. We outline how complexity theory shaped our theoretical perspective, conceptualization of the research problem, and selection of methodology and methods. We show how a research methodology informed by complexity theory can capture new insights into complex problems, advancing the application of complexity theory and qualitative research design