Reflections on qualitative data analysis training for PPI partners and its implementation into practice

Cowley, Alison; Kerr, Margaret; Darby, Janet; Logan, Pip

Abstract

Service users should be involved in every part of the research process, including analysis of qualitative research data such as interviews and focus groups. To enhance their participation, confidence and contributions, training and support for both the ‘professional’ researcher and lay member of public is essential. Historically this has taken a number of forms from short 1 day training sessions through to training spread out over several months. There currently is limited guidance on the quantity and content of such training sessions for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Partners. This paper discusses and explores the content and delivery of qualitative analysis training held over two sessions of 3 h duration to members of a University PPI group. The training was designed by experienced qualitative researchers and PPI partners based on available literature and research expertise. Training included the theory of qualitative research methods, and practical qualitative analysis coding skills. These skills were developed through the use of ‘mock’ interviews which participants practiced coding in supportive group sessions. Their feedback on the training is provided. One of the PPI partners subsequently went onto code data with a researcher working on a funded research study, and has reflected on both the training sessions and the subsequent analysis of the data. These reflections have been supplemented by reflections of the researcher who worked alongside the PPI partner, revealing that the process challenged perspectives and helped them view data through a service users eyes. A positive working relationship was central to this.

Citation

Cowley, A., Kerr, M., Darby, J., & Logan, P. (2019). Reflections on qualitative data analysis training for PPI partners and its implementation into practice. Research Involvement and Engagement, 5(1), Article 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-019-0156-0

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 31, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Aug 14, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Deposit Date: Oct 7, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 8, 2019
• Journal: Research Involvement and Engagement
• Electronic ISSN: 2056-7529
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 5
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 22
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-019-0156-0
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2772006
• Publisher URL: https://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40900-019-0156-0
• Additional Information: Received: 17 January 2019; Accepted: 31 July 2019; First Online: 14 August 2019; : Not required or sought for the training. Overall rehabilitation potential study had ethical approval for involvement of MK in coding from The Yorkshire and The Humber Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee REC reference number 17/YH/0356.; : Not needed; : The authors declare that they have no competing interests.