Synthesising qualitative research methods (observation and participation) to provide deeper understandings of substance use: A commentary

A central tenet of qualitative research is to gain an understanding of the social worlds of others and to unpack the concomitant livedexperiences of a particular phenomenon in order to develop an appreciation of the way in which people negotiate relational aspects of daily life. Accordingly, for this reason, qualitative research has been frequently used as a way of informing and developing social policy and/or issues relating to health improvement. The field of substance use and drug dependency typically intersects these fields of policy and health improvement. As such, there now exists a wealth of policyfocused, substance-use related literature that may be traced back to the Chicago School of urban sociology