How to … do longitudinal qualitative research

Abstract

Summary In health professions education, we are often interested in researching change over time, for example the development of professional identity or the adoption of new practices. Taking a longitudinal qualitative approach to such research can provide valuable insights. In this article, we present some longitudinal qualitative methods to support researchers interested in getting started with this type of research. We discuss what longitudinal qualitative approaches offer, consider the challenges and suggest how to go about it. We also highlight some specific ethical considerations that may arise in longitudinal studies.

Longitudinal qualitative research in medical education: Time to conceptualise time

“… 1 , 2 Although a body of LQR exists, it has yet to make substantial in‐roads into medical education. 3 The purpose of this paper is to create access points to LQR in support of increasing its use in medical education.…”

“…Nonetheless, few in medical education engage in LQR even though two of us have published short papers describing LQR. Bennett, Kajamaa and Johnston 3 introduce LQR to health professions educators as a valuable and flexible approach to exploring how and when change happens. Balmer and Richards 4 situate LQR among other qualitative research approaches and offer guiding principles for conducting LQR in medical education.…”

“…The primary aim of LQR is to explore participants’ lived experiences in real time as these experiences unfold, in other words, to explore their journey 1,2 . Although a body of LQR exists, it has yet to make substantial in‐roads into medical education 3 . The purpose of this paper is to create access points to LQR in support of increasing its use in medical education.…”

“…1,2 Although a body of LQR exists, it has yet to make substantial in-roads into medical education. 3 The…”

Epilogue: Celebrating the completion of the ‘How to…’ series on qualitative research

“…5 Then, we underscore the role of reflection and self-assessment as keys for taking qualitative research to the next level with one paper on the role of the researcher-in other words, how to be reflexive 6 -and another with a 'checklist' for (almost) all aspects important in high-quality qualitative research. 7 There are papers on specific qualitative methods: the interview as a way to gather data, 8 a longitudinal study design, 9 the art of mixed methods research 10 and qualitative synthesis. 11 Finally, one of the papers explores how qualitative research can be used to change practice.…”