Qualitative Diary Methods

Laura Radcliffe - University of Liverpool, UK
Leighann Spencer - University of Liverpool, UK
Qualitative Diary Methods
April 2025 | 296 pages | Sage US
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Description

Qualitative diary methods (QDMs) are a versatile range of multi-modal data collection methods that involve participants recording events and experiences, and emotions and reflections, as they happen, on multiple occasions and over a particular time period. These data collection methods include a pen and paper diary, as well as other electronic modes of diary keeping, including text but also audio, photo-, video-, and app-based diaries that allow for a range of modalities. This book covers the diversity of QDM options available to researchers, providing a clear rationale as to when and why different qualitative diary methods could be used. The authors consider research design, and ethical considerations for each of the distinct QDM approaches and provide end-of-chapter checklists and activities to help readers apply the methods to their own research.



Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

  • Chapter 1: An Introduction to Qualitative Diary Methods
  • What are QDMs?
  • A brief history of QDMs
  • When and why should I use QDMs?
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 2: Designing QDMs: Addressing Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas (Coauthored With Hannah Musiyarira)
  • Sampling for QDMs
  • Participant Retention and Engagement
  • Designing QDMs
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 3: Traditional Diary Methods
  • Traditional approaches: An introduction
  • Pen and Paper Diaries
  • Audio Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 4: Incorporating the Visual: Photo and Video Diaries
  • Visual approaches: An introduction
  • Photo Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 5: There’s an App for that! Introducing Mobile ‘App’ Diaries (Coauthored With Joanne Gregory-Chialton
  • Mobile ‘App’ Diaries: An Introduction
  • App Diaries: Benefits and When and Why To Use Them
  • Designing App Diaries: Practical Considerations
  • To Adapt, Tailor, or Create an App.
  • App Diary Checklist
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 6: Analyzing Data From QDMs: Thematic Analysis and Beyond
  • Analyzing QDMs: An Introduction
  • Data Management and Preparation
  • Choosing an Analytical Approach: Key Considerations
  • Generic Thematic Analysis Approaches for QDM Analysis
  • Analyzing Multimodal/Visual Diary Data
  • Integrating Diary and Other Forms of Data
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 7: QDM-Focused Analysis Approaches
  • Introducing QDM-Focused Analytical Approaches: Capturing the ‘Down’ and ‘Across’ Benefits of QDMs
  • Embracing the “Across”: Analysing QDMs Using Thematic Trajectory Analysis
  • Reporting and Interpreting TTA and EDA: Reduction vs Reductive
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 8: Concluding Chapter and the Future of QDMs
  • Recapitulation: Key Points From Previous Chapters
  • Key Considerations in Developing QDM Research Projects
  • Developments in QDM Research: Looking Back and to the Future
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading

Appendix

Appendix

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

Qualitative diary methods (QDMs) are a versatile range of multi-modal data collection methods that involve participants recording events and experiences, and emotions and reflections, as they happen, on multiple occasions and over a particular time period. These data collection methods include a pen and paper diary, as well as other electronic modes of diary keeping, including text but also audio, photo-, video-, and app-based diaries that allow for a range of modalities. This book covers the diversity of QDM options available to researchers, providing a clear rationale as to when and why different qualitative diary methods could be used. The authors consider research design, and ethical considerations for each of the distinct QDM approaches and provide end-of-chapter checklists and activities to help readers apply the methods to their own research.



Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

  • Chapter 1: An Introduction to Qualitative Diary Methods
  • What are QDMs?
  • A brief history of QDMs
  • When and why should I use QDMs?
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 2: Designing QDMs: Addressing Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas (Coauthored With Hannah Musiyarira)
  • Sampling for QDMs
  • Participant Retention and Engagement
  • Designing QDMs
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 3: Traditional Diary Methods
  • Traditional approaches: An introduction
  • Pen and Paper Diaries
  • Audio Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 4: Incorporating the Visual: Photo and Video Diaries
  • Visual approaches: An introduction
  • Photo Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 5: There’s an App for that! Introducing Mobile ‘App’ Diaries (Coauthored With Joanne Gregory-Chialton
  • Mobile ‘App’ Diaries: An Introduction
  • App Diaries: Benefits and When and Why To Use Them
  • Designing App Diaries: Practical Considerations
  • To Adapt, Tailor, or Create an App.
  • App Diary Checklist
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 6: Analyzing Data From QDMs: Thematic Analysis and Beyond
  • Analyzing QDMs: An Introduction
  • Data Management and Preparation
  • Choosing an Analytical Approach: Key Considerations
  • Generic Thematic Analysis Approaches for QDM Analysis
  • Analyzing Multimodal/Visual Diary Data
  • Integrating Diary and Other Forms of Data
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 7: QDM-Focused Analysis Approaches
  • Introducing QDM-Focused Analytical Approaches: Capturing the ‘Down’ and ‘Across’ Benefits of QDMs
  • Embracing the “Across”: Analysing QDMs Using Thematic Trajectory Analysis
  • Reporting and Interpreting TTA and EDA: Reduction vs Reductive
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 8: Concluding Chapter and the Future of QDMs
  • Recapitulation: Key Points From Previous Chapters
  • Key Considerations in Developing QDM Research Projects
  • Developments in QDM Research: Looking Back and to the Future
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading

Appendix

Appendix

Glossary

Glossary

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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Qualitative Diary Methods


April 2025 | 296 pages | Sage US

Format Published Date ISBN Price

Qualitative diary methods (QDMs) are a versatile range of multi-modal data collection methods that involve participants recording events and experiences, and emotions and reflections, as they happen, on multiple occasions and over a particular time period. These data collection methods include a pen and paper diary, as well as other electronic modes of diary keeping, including text but also audio, photo-, video-, and app-based diaries that allow for a range of modalities. This book covers the diversity of QDM options available to researchers, providing a clear rationale as to when and why different qualitative diary methods could be used. The authors consider research design, and ethical considerations for each of the distinct QDM approaches and provide end-of-chapter checklists and activities to help readers apply the methods to their own research.




Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • Acknowledgements
  • About the Authors
  • Chapter 1: An Introduction to Qualitative Diary Methods
  • What are QDMs?
  • A brief history of QDMs
  • When and why should I use QDMs?
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 2: Designing QDMs: Addressing Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas (Coauthored With Hannah Musiyarira)
  • Sampling for QDMs
  • Participant Retention and Engagement
  • Designing QDMs
  • Ethical Considerations
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 3: Traditional Diary Methods
  • Traditional approaches: An introduction
  • Pen and Paper Diaries
  • Audio Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 4: Incorporating the Visual: Photo and Video Diaries
  • Visual approaches: An introduction
  • Photo Diaries
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 5: There’s an App for that! Introducing Mobile ‘App’ Diaries (Coauthored With Joanne Gregory-Chialton
  • Mobile ‘App’ Diaries: An Introduction
  • App Diaries: Benefits and When and Why To Use Them
  • Designing App Diaries: Practical Considerations
  • To Adapt, Tailor, or Create an App.
  • App Diary Checklist
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 6: Analyzing Data From QDMs: Thematic Analysis and Beyond
  • Analyzing QDMs: An Introduction
  • Data Management and Preparation
  • Choosing an Analytical Approach: Key Considerations
  • Generic Thematic Analysis Approaches for QDM Analysis
  • Analyzing Multimodal/Visual Diary Data
  • Integrating Diary and Other Forms of Data
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 7: QDM-Focused Analysis Approaches
  • Introducing QDM-Focused Analytical Approaches: Capturing the ‘Down’ and ‘Across’ Benefits of QDMs
  • Embracing the “Across”: Analysing QDMs Using Thematic Trajectory Analysis
  • Reporting and Interpreting TTA and EDA: Reduction vs Reductive
  • Further Reading
  • Chapter 8: Concluding Chapter and the Future of QDMs
  • Recapitulation: Key Points From Previous Chapters
  • Key Considerations in Developing QDM Research Projects
  • Developments in QDM Research: Looking Back and to the Future
  • Conclusion
  • Further Reading
  • Appendix
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

This book is an essential resource, offering innovative and practical approaches for analyzing the infrequently discussed methodology of qualitative diary analysis. A must-read for any qualitative researcher.
Michael Kreiter, Boise State University
This is an exceptional overview of an often overlooked and misunderstood methodological approach. Radcliffe and Spencer are able to seamlessly integrate a solid theoretical and methodological foundation with an applied "real world" approach ensuring readers are able to both understand and practice qualitative diary methods in a constructive and innovative manner that should advance the practice across the social sciences and beyond.
Jason R. Jolicoeur, Minnesota State University, Mankato
This text offers an important addition to qualitative research methodologies for consideration in the context of today's expanding sources of data.
Lisa R. Roberts, Loma Linda University.

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