Study published: Collaborative interview analysis with parents of children treated for cancer
The researchers found that the involvement of public contributors brought new perspectives to the analysis. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
In a recently published study, researchers within the CIRCLE research group describe and reflect on a collaborative approach to analysing transcribed interviews together with public contributors. The study offers practical insights for researchers who want to involve public contributors as co-researchers.
Analysing data together with public contributors
The study is based on a qualitative project embedded within the ENGAGE feasibility trial, which explored the acceptability of the EJDeR support programme for parents of children treated for cancer. Three public contributors worked alongside three researchers to analyse 36 interview transcripts. The approach, known as collaborative data analysis, meant that public contributors received training and supervision, and took part in all steps of the analysis. They independently developed coding frameworks, applied them, and interpreted the findings.
After completing the analysis, the public contributors and the researchers participated in a reflection workshop to evaluate how the collaborative approach had worked in practice. The workshop showed that the process was manageable for public contributors, realistic within available resources, and characterised by well-functioning relationships and power dynamics within the group.
Public contributors strengthened the analysis
PhD Ella Thiblin, the study's first author. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
The researchers found that the involvement of public contributors brought new perspectives to the analysis. For example, public contributors highlighted that participants in the ENGAGE study sometimes had difficulties distinguishing between the EJDeR intervention and ENGAGE study procedures.
The study also reports the costs of the parents’ involvement, which may be useful for other researchers considering similar approaches.
– I hope that our approach can inspire other researchers to try analysing data together with public contributors, and that our article will contribute with practical knowledge in this field, says Ella Thiblin, the study’s first author.
Miro Anter
Link to the article
Read the paper ‘Public Contribution in Qualitative Research With Parents of Children Treated for Cancer: Description of and Reflections on a Collaborative Data Analysis Approach’. It is authored by Ella Thiblin, Christina Reuther, Mattias Bergqvist, Tho Huynh, Johan Lundgren, Sandra Rösler, Joanne Woodford, and Louise von Essen.