The longitudinal qualitative research design in nursing, health, and social care research: philosophy, methodology, and methods

The longitudinal qualitative research (LQR) approach is an emerging design in nursing research which focuses on examining changes in experiences over specified timepoints. While some authors have tied this approach to a specific qualitative tradition such as phenomenology and case study, other authors have associated it with two or more qualitative methodologies. Yet, others have also argued it is untied to a specific qualitative tradition. Thus, there is palpable confusion regarding whether it is a methodology or merely a method. Additionally, its guiding paradigm or philosophical/ theoretical foundations remain poorly articulated or loosely defined within the broader qualitative research tradition.

This methodological discussion paper sought to examine the guiding paradigm/ philosophical underpinning, methodology, and methods unique to LQR to ground it within the broader qualitative research tradition. A secondary goal, perhaps more nuanced, is to generate further scholarly discussions regarding LQR and its application to nursing, health, and social care research.

Methodological discussion FINDINGS: When the term "longitudinal" is applied to a qualitative methodology, the emphasis is on repeated data collection informed by that methodology's theoretical perspective. However, when LQR is used, then it is to be considered as a methodology characterised by a focus on change, meaning, and time grounded in context, an emphasis on participants' own reflections of their subjective experiences and the researchers understanding of them. LQR emphasises reflective, second-order perspective (the world as experienced and perceived/ understood). With the need to uncover change across time, its dynamics, and mechanisms, LQR is argued to be potentially underpinned by the critical realist theoretical/ philosophical stance. Methodologically, LQR lends itself to methodical flexibility and pluralism. Despite its strengths, some challenges are noteworthy including attrition, time and resource demands, data management, ethical considerations, researcher bias, analytical complexity, contextual changes, and issues of transferability.

LQR is a methodology fit for uncovering meaning, dynamics, and mechanisms of change over time and bound to specific contexts albeit its conduct requires careful planning and availability of adequate resources.