We have described three possible studies of postnatal depression:

• A descriptive phenomenological study undertaken by Sally;
• A descriptive phenomenological study with bracketing, undertaken by Gloria;
• An interpretative phenomenological study undertaken by Gloria.

Which of the three studies do you think the health visiting team should opt for and why? 

The following papers provide a more detailed insight to the theoretical underpinnings of phenomenology and consideration of the use of this approach in nursing and midwifery research. Do not be perturbed by the specific use of ‘nursing’ and ‘midwifery’ in the titles. Instead, read all of the papers and consider the extent to which the concepts explored apply to your area of practice:

Miles, M. Francis, K. Chapman, Y. and Taylor, B. (2013) Hermeneutic phenomenology: A methodology of choice for midwives. International Journal of Nursing Practice 19(4): 409–414.

Matua, G.A. (2015) Choosing phenomenology as a guiding philosophy for nursing research. Nurse Researcher 22(4): 30–34.

Tuohy, D. Cooney, A. Dowling, M. Murphy, K. and Sixsmith, J. (2013) An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research methodology. Nurse Researcher 20(6): 17–20.

Identify the possible phenomenological studies that could be undertaken with the patients or client groups in your practice area.

Develop a research question for each of these studies. Hint – remember that the phrase ‘lived experience’ is likely to feature in the research question.

List the different groups or cultures to which you belong. These could be social or professional groups.

Review the key features and characteristics of the culture of a group that we have listed; which of these can you identify in the various groups to which you belong?

Are there any key features or characteristics that you would add?

The following papers provide a more detailed insight to the theoretical underpinnings of ethnography and consideration of the use of this approach in nursing and midwifery research. Having read the papers consider the extent to which the concepts explored apply to your area of practice:

Cruz, E.V. and Higginbottom, G. (2013) The use of ethnography in nursing research. Nurse Researcher 20(4): 36–43.

Gelling, L. (2014) Complexities of ethnography. Nurse Researcher 22(1): 6–7.

Identify the possible ethnographic studies that could be undertaken with the patients or client groups in your practice area. Develop a research question for each of these studies.

Identify the possible topics for a grounded theory study that could be undertaken with the patients or client groups in your practice area. 

The following papers provide a more detailed insight to the theoretical underpinnings of grounded theory and consideration of the use of this approach in health care research. Having read the papers consider the extent to which the concepts explored apply to your area of practice:

Markey, K. Tilki, M. and Taylor, G. (2014) Reflecting on the challenges of choosing and using a grounded theory approach. Nurse Researcher 22(2): 16–22.

Maz, J. (2013) Employing a grounded theory approach: core characteristics. British Journal of Cardiac Nursing 8(9): 453–458.

Read one (or both) of the following papers:

Gergett, B. and Gillen, P. (2014) Early pregnancy loss: perceptions of healthcare professionals. Evidence Based Midwifery 12(1): 29–34.

Lindgren, B-M. Enmark, A. Bohman, A. and Lundström, M. (2015) A qualitative study of young women’s experiences of recovery from bulimia nervosa. Journal of Advanced Nursing 71(4): 860–869.

Both studies indicate that a qualitative approach was undertaken.

Which specific qualitative method do you think the researchers used?

Why do you think the method is not explicitly identified in the paper?

Do you think it matters that the method is not explicitly identified in the paper?

Carl, Richie and Amy from the class of 2016 have been given the topic of witnessed resuscitation. They have been asked to identify which qualitative research method would be most appropriate for the following aspects of witnessed resuscitation:

•  family members’ experiences of witnessing the resuscitation of a relative;
•  decision making during witnessed resuscitation;
•  health care professional team working during witnessed resuscitation.

Carl, Richie and Amy decide the following:

• family members’ experiences of witnessing the resuscitation of a relative – phenomenology;
• decision making during witnessed resuscitation – grounded theory;
• health care professional team working during witnessed resuscitation – ethnography.

Do you agree with their decisions?
Give a rationale for your point of view for each of the studies.