Analysing qualitative data: examples from two studies of end-of-life care

This article examines the analysis of qualitative data, identifying and explaining some key approaches which researchers may wish to use to contribute to the developing knowledge base of palliative nursing. Drawing on the work of Grbich (1999), practical examples from the authors' own studies of end-of-life care are used to illustrate some of the possibilities for analysing interview and observational data. The article concludes with an examination of the concept of 'rigour' in qualitative inquiry and suggests some practical ways of helping nurses who are new to palliative care research.