The “Sticky Notes” Method: Adapting Interpretive Description Methodology for Team-Based Qualitative Analysis in Community-Based Participatory Research

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has a long history within HIV research, yet little work has focused on facilitating team-based data analysis within CBPR. Our team adapted Thorne’s interpretive description (ID) for CBPR analysis, using a color-coded “sticky notes” system to conduct data fragmentation and synthesis. Sticky notes were used to record, visualize, and communicate emerging insights over the course of 11 in-person participatory sessions. Data fragmentation strategies were employed in an iterative four-step process that was reached by consensus. During synthesis, the team created and recreated mind maps of the 969 sticky notes, from which we developed categories and themes through discussion. Flexibility, trust, and discussion were key components that facilitated the evolution of the final process. An interactive, team-based approach was central to data co-creation and capacity building, whereas the “sticky notes” system provided a framework for identifying and sorting data.

Methodological Insights From a Virtual, Team-Based Rapid Qualitative Method Applied to a Study of Providers’ Perspectives of the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Hospital-To-Home Transitions

“…The visual maps were compatible with virtual team meetings as the maps could be readily displayed using the share screen function on Zoom. Although we expected to do the complete analysis synchronously ( Burgess et al, 2021 ) during the virtual team meetings, this approach was time-consuming and not ideal for team members who worked clinically or may not be comfortable speaking in a virtual group environment. Instead, we integrated a combination of synchronous and asynchronous peer debrief and review activities for feasibility.…”

Depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in permanent supportive housing: Findings from a community‐based participatory study in Vancouver, Canada

“…The research question guiding the main study was “How do management policies of PSH influence physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of PLHIV residing in PSH?” The results of this analysis are presented elsewhere (Burgess, Vorobyova, et al, 2021). Nested within the main study, the community‐initiated analysis presented in this paper was conducted with a different analytic objective and method than the original study (Burgess, Jongbloed, et al, 2021). There is minimal overlap between the present work and the aforementioned publications, the first of which was based on the findings of the main research question and undertaken without PRA involvement (Burgess, Vorobyova, et al, 2021), and the second of which reported solely on the analytic process of the community‐initiated analysis (Burgess, Jongbloed, et al, 2021).…”

“…Our research question for the community‐led analysis was, “what components of PSH help, don't help, or could help residents' depressive symptoms, and what about PSH could make them worse?” The team coded and analyzed transcripts collaboratively, following interpretive description methodology (Thorne, 2016) and employing a method of organizing concepts using color‐coded sticky notes. The participatory analysis process is described in detail elsewhere (Burgess, Jongbloed, et al, 2021). Qualitative interviews with 24 participants generated over 700 pages of transcript.…”

Development of an Integrated Approach to Virtual Mind-Mapping: Methodology and Applied Experiences to Enhance Qualitative Health Research

“…In qualitative research, mind-mapping has been explored to address research questions related to alcohol misuse and services, impact of HIV, as well as the experience of neighborhood built environments (Burgess et al, 2021; Burgess-Allen & Owen-Smith, 2010; Catney et al, 2019; Wheeldon & Ahlberg, 2019). Importantly, while a stricter approach can be taken with respect to what constitutes an “idea” or a theme to be drawn out into a mind-map, how hierarchies are reflected, or what meaning is placed behind a drawn out connection between multiple ideas, a more free-form approach to mind-mapping is also possible (Wheeldon & Faubert, 2009).…”

“…Mind-maps can also be an invaluable tool in the analysis of qualitative data by either analyzing the maps themselves or collectively with other forms of qualitative data (DiCicco-Bloom & Crabtree, 2006; Wheeldon & Ahlberg, 2019). For example, mind-map construction positions a researcher to directly observe relationships within qualitative data as defined by the participant, which may facilitate the iterative processes of re-arranging or re-categorizing certain themes identified across participants rather than solely relying on verbalized relationships in interview transcripts (Kelle, 2007; Tattersall et al, 2007; Wheeldon & Ahlberg, 2019) (Burgess et al, 2021). When other forms of data are limited (e.g., interviews are unable to be recorded) mind-maps may help to capture salient ideas (and any complex relationships between them) to aide in thematic analysis.…”