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Diaries as a method of data collection in research
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin.
Paediatric Nursing
|October 20, 2010
Summary
This study explores mothers' experiences caring for children using diary entries and interviews. It discusses the challenges and benefits of employing diaries in healthcare research for in-depth qualitative data.
Area of Science:
- Qualitative Health Research
- Phenomenology
- Maternal Health Studies
Background:
- Diary records are increasingly utilized in healthcare research.
- Qualitative methods are essential for understanding patient experiences.
- Phenomenological approaches offer deep insights into lived experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the use of diaries in exploring mothers' experiences of childcare.
- To present findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study.
- To discuss the practical challenges of diary methodology in research.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative approach combining hermeneutic phenomenology.
- Data collection via three in-depth interviews.
- Inclusion of participant-recorded diary entries on three occasions.
Main Results:
- Diary entries provided rich, personal accounts of maternal childcare experiences.
- The combination of interviews and diaries yielded comprehensive qualitative data.
- Identified specific challenges related to participant engagement and data recording.
Conclusions:
- Diaries can be a valuable tool for capturing nuanced maternal experiences in healthcare research.
- Methodological considerations are crucial for successful diary implementation.
- Further research can refine diary-based data collection in qualitative studies.
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