Realities Toolkits

This toolkit describes the use of written, photo and audio diary methods in mixed method research with people with dementia and considers how this approach affected the research process and findings. Using written and oral diaries allowed people more flexibility and control over their participation, as well as supporting recall. The toolkit discusses some of the practical aspects of using this approach, including how the method was implemented, and offers some useful advice for avoiding potential pitfalls.

This toolkit describes the use of self-interviewing as one of the research methods used in the "Media of Remembering" project. The method involved participants using a small digital audio recorder to talk in their own time about their lives. The research team developed this method to give participants more opportunity to pause and reflect on the research topic, which in turn produced rich, useful data.

This toolkit explores the use of telephone interviews in qualitative research. It discusses the practical and methodological advantages of the approach, including minimal travel time and cost and increased anonymity for participants.

This toolkit focuses on the issue of data integration within mixed methods research. The term ‘mixed methods’ is used here to denote research that combines qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis in one study.

One of the main issues facing many mixed methods researchers is the question of how to integrate data, with the particular problem of ‘contradictory’ data. Mixed methods research is perhaps particularly prone to ‘contradictions’ in data because of the different categories and levels of analysis, as well as contrasting explanatory logics, that are employed. This toolkit discusses different approaches to the issue of integration and ‘contradictory’ data.

This toolkit draws on experiences of a study in which blog analysis was used alongside interviews to explore young people’s representations of their gap year experiences. The toolkit outlines the methods I employed in the project and suggests the sorts of questions that can be answered using blog analysis alongside the issues that might arise.

The aim of this toolkit is to help you plan properly for transcribing, and save you time by helping you do your transcribing more efficiently. It includes advice on project planning for transcribing, tips for good quality recordings, advice on equipment and software and suggestions to help you save time while transcribing. Plus you can also use our spreadsheet to work out how long your transcribing will take and watch our mini-tutorial to show you how to add line numbers to your transcript.