This article will explore the emergence of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) as an approach for midwifery research. a brief history of the research methodology of phenomenology is given to aid understanding of how this relatively new approach of IPA has developed. the background to IPA research is examined, its methodological processes discussed, and research examples with specific applications to midwifery practice are provided.
Ethnography is considered to be the oldest of the qualitative research methodologies. The research methodology of ethnography is becoming increasingly popular in the field of health-care research to study behaviour and social interactions, and specifically in midwifery, to explore the culture of childbirth. Ethnography is a research methodology that can enable researchers to make sense of peoples actions by observing them in the context of their environment, such as a labour ward. This then allows for an understanding of midwives' behaviour within their cultural arena. This demonstrates the essence of ethnography. There are two types of observation used in this research methodology: participant and non-participant observation. The researcher is the major research tool for data collection and collects the data in ‘field notes’. If the researcher does not understand what has been observed, further data collection is conducted by semi-structured interviews with representatives from the group observed. Data collection methods can also incorporate photography and the use of film. Ethnographers are also open to visual analysis of any artefact or document witnessed within the environment under study, for example, a noticeboard in the clinical area.
Grounded theory is a research methodology whereby the researcher has an area of research interest and is led by the research data to describe and explain with a ‘theory’ what is happening in a social interaction or setting. Data collection and data analysis are performed in tandem and is referred to as ‘constant comparative analysis.’ It can follow either the quantitative or qualitative approach to research design but is most often used in the latter because of the flexibility this offers. Increasingly it is being used in midwifery research. It is a research methodology that can provide a framework for midwifery researchers to produce interesting and innovative research.
Survey research enables information to be derived from a large sample on a topic under investigation to ascertain and measure the respondents' knowledge, attitudes, values, opinions, actions, intentions, behaviours and beliefs. It follows the quantitative approach, is considered non-experimental and requires data analysis to be conducted by statistical tests. Data can be collected by structured interviews (face-to-face or by telephone) or questionnaires (postal or internet). This article focuses on the postal questionnaire which is popular with midwifery researchers as it can provide valid and statistically significant results from a large target population pertinent to midwifery care, and help inform and educate midwifery practice of factors affecting consumers, midwives and student midwives.
This article will describe and discuss the anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor and the important role it plays during childbirth. It will also consider damage that can be caused to the pelvic floor and in the genital/rectal region. Urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal injury (naturally occurring or surgically induced) and haemorrhoids can cause a lot of distress and pain for many women following childbirth. Alleviating the distress and pain associated with these problems is vitally important and will be explored.
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