Using diaries to collect data in phenomenological research

Abstract

Background: Diaries are an under-used method of data collection within nursing research. The use of diaries for qualitative research can allow for a contemporaneous insight into the lived experience of the person completing the diary.Aim: The article will allow for an understanding of how diaries can gain the richness required from qualitative data.Discussion: This article explores the use of diaries as a data collection tool, when undertaking qualitative research. Diaries can provide an unadulterated insight into a phenomenological perspective, to gain perceptions and insights into the required phenomenon. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) is explored as a method of data collection when using diaries in qualitative phenomenological research.Conclusion: This article provides an overview of the use of diaries as a data collection method for qualitative phenomenological research. Diaries are an option for those who wish to collect data in a personal and unique way.Implications for practice: Diaries can be utilised as a data collection method to gain a rich insight into a phenomenon of interest.

Living with Urinary Incontinence: Potential Risks of Women’s Health? A Qualitative Study on the Perspectives of Female Patients Seeking Care for the First Time in a Specialized Center

“…The women participating in the study were asked to write personal letters, which were used as part of the analyzed data, bringing the task of data collection into the respondents’ everyday world [33]. These letters were meant to obtain information in a non-obstructive manner by capturing ordinary events and observations that might be neglected by single-recording methods because often participants perceive these as being insignificant, or fail to remember them [33,34]. Participants were given a two-week period to respond to the same questions used in the interviews [34].…”

“…This procedure sought to avoid affecting how the participant conceptualized their responses, and perceived events. The participants were requested to describe the most relevant aspects of their experience according to their perspective, with no limits to the length of the accounts nor the contents of the same [33,34]. Participants were recommended to write at least once a day, whenever they chose to do so.…”

Feasibility of a randomized controlled trial of a proprioceptive and tactile vest intervention for children with challenges integrating and processing sensory information

“…The use of parental diaries was not productive as most parents did not write in the diary. Research suggests that the use of diaries can be challenging, but they also help to gain a personal insight into the experiences of being part of the intervention [ 19 ]. Since the diary was not used very often, this could indicate that parents either did not find it relevant or did not have enough time to participate in the study at that level.…”

Using Diaries With Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Guidelines From a Study of Children Whose Parents Have Mental Illness

“…Diaries can be helpful in such situations as it gives participants enough space to think about what to write without feeling pressured to provide on-the-spot responses. Further, participants have sufficient time to recall past events as closely as possible (Alaszewski, 2006; Morrell-Scott, 2018). With diaries, researchers can ask participants to document continuous and evolving experiences that shape their views about a particular phenomenon.…”