Practical Example

Article:

The Cancer Stories Project: Narratives of encounters with cancer in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Objectives/Research Question:

• Identify elements that empower participants who are experiencing cancer.
• Explore support and coping mechanisms which participants are using to manage and understand their experience of cancer.

Sampling:

• The snowball approach was used through networks (national and personal), posters and emails.
• Over the age of 18 years old, cancer was of any tumor type, and individual had finished main treatment.
• Sample size: 11 men, and 27 women.

Method:

• Participants provided with an information sheet ahead of time to consider topics.
• Qualitative analysis included: recording, interview narratives, transcribing, and thematic coding.
• Key questions:
  • What helped you to get though your cancer experience?
  • What were the strategies that you used?
  • What has been your experience of the language associated with cancer?
  • What helped you understand your cancer experience?
  • What would you recommend people in your situation do to make it more manageable?

Results:

• Seven themes:
  • Attitude: Humor, positivity, forward-thinking and living in the present.
  • Change: Advocate
  • Family and friends: Provide a foundation.
  • Healthcare professionals: Gratitude, support.
  • Sources of support: Self-care, spirituality/prayer.
  • Employment: Support, understanding.
  • Culture: Spirituality

Limitations:

• Not all tumor types or ethnicities were included.
• Primarily a pragmatic analysis, which did not include a theoretical perspective.
• Findings are not generalizable to quantitative research.