How to analyse longitudinal data from multiple sources in qualitative health research: the pen portrait analytic technique

BMC Medical Research Methodology
Laura Sheard, Claire Marsh

Abstract

Longitudinal qualitative research is starting to be used in applied health research, having been popular in social research for several decades. There is potential for a large volume of complex data to be captured, over a span of months or years across several different methods. How to analyse this volume of data - with its inherent complexity - represents a problem for health researchers. There is a previous dearth of methodological literature which describes an appropriate analytic process which can be readily employed. We document a worked example of the Pen Portrait analytic process, using the qualitative dataset for which the process was originally developed. Pen Portraits are recommended as a way in which longitudinal health research data can be concentrated into a focused account. The four stages of undertaking a pen portrait are: 1) understand and define what to focus on 2) design a basic structure 3) populate the content 4) interpretation. Instructive commentary and guidance is given throughout with consistent reference to the original study for which Pen Portraits were devised. The Pen Portrait analytic process was developed by the authors, borne out of a need to effectively integrate multiple qualitative methods coll...Continue Reading

References

Aug 2, 2003·Qualitative Health Research·Lioness AyresKathleen A Knafl
Apr 9, 2008·Journal of Advanced Nursing·Janice Brown, Julia Addington-Hall
Feb 8, 2013·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Lynn CalmanAlex Molassiotis
Mar 29, 2014·Nurse Researcher·Charlotte Jane WhiffinNikki Jarrett
Dec 3, 2015·Qualitative Health Research·Kulsum PatelCatherine E Lightbody
Sep 24, 2018·Health Expectations : an International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy·Laura SheardRebecca Lawton
Oct 23, 2018·Health Expectations : an International Journal of Public Participation in Health Care and Health Policy·Gemma LouchJane O'Hara

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Citations

Feb 7, 2021·BMC Medical Research Methodology·Jennifer M Van TiemJane Moeckli
Feb 10, 2021·Health & Social Care in the Community·Liat Ayalon, Shiri Shinan-Altman
Jun 10, 2021·International Journal of Nursing Studies·Helen AndersonJoy Adamson

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