Table 1
Key features of longitudinal qualitative research and approaches to qualitative research
|
Longitudinal qualitative research |
Ethnography [15] |
Participatory action research [16] |
Biography [17] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Focus of study |
Exploring temporal dimension of a phenomenon in individuals and in groups |
Describing and interpreting a cultural or social group |
Seeking collaborative change by actively engaging participants |
Exploring the life of an individual |
|
Type of data |
Cross sectional and longitudinal data, typically collected via interviews with a relatively small group of individuals |
Typically prolonged observation of, and ad hoc field interviews with, members of cultural or social group |
Typically cross sectional data collected from multiple individuals |
Longitudinal data collected via interviews and/or existing documents and archives |
|
Nature of research relationship |
Increasingly personal due to time, repetition, and familiarity |
Determined by the stance of the researcher (detached observer to complete participant) |
Empowering and collaborative |
Singular; Varies from close/personal to more detached |