Conceptual Anchors in Longitudinal Qualitative Health Research: Using a Methodological Adjunct in Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Folliard, Kelda, Crozier, Kenda and Wadnerkar Kamble, Meghana (2025) Conceptual Anchors in Longitudinal Qualitative Health Research: Using a Methodological Adjunct in Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. pp. 1-17. ISSN 0309-2402

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Abstract

Aims: To highlight how Longitudinal Experiential Concepts can be used as conceptual anchors within Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to gain temporal interpretative phenomenological insights, a lack of which can be a criticism levelled at novice nurse or midwife researchers utilising phenomenological research methods. Design: Longitudinal Experiential Concepts were utilised as a novel methodological adjunct to Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in a study of the lived experience of perinatal anxiety by a midwife researcher. Method: Longitudinal Experiential Concepts were identified following assimilation of Group Experiential Themes and while building the interpretative narrative account across all three data collection time points, with reflexive annotations facilitating their formulation. Results: Within a longitudinal vertical (by time point) analysis, Longitudinal Experiential Concepts can add a horizontal view, giving a contemporaneous and dynamic perspective on the experiential threads woven throughout the temporal experience. Use of these conceptual anchors, enabled with reflexive prompts, can prevent the fragmentation that potentially occurs when examining moments in time in Longitudinal Qualitative Research, facilitate clarity in the temporal view of the whole phenomenon and enable phenomenological insights. Conclusion: A novel addition to the Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis method, Longitudinal Experiential Concepts as conceptual anchors can encourage deeper holistic thinking about the less immediately obvious facets of experience and temporal progression and give the novice nurse or midwife researcher a means to robustly access the phenomenological attitude. These principles may be applicable more broadly within other Longitudinal Qualitative Research approaches. Implications for the Profession: The use of Longitudinal Experiential Concepts in Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis can enable nurses, midwives, and other clinical health researchers to produce high- quality, robust longitudinal phenomenological research. This is important due to the popular use and value of these methods aiming to generate new understanding of health conditions and improve patient care.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Data Availability Statement We confirm that data utilised in the submitted manuscript have been lawfully acquired in accordance with The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The study received NHS Health Research Authority ethical approval in June 2021 (21/EE/0104).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	health research,interpretative phenomenological analysis,longitudinal qualitative research,midwife research,nurse research,phenomenology
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Mental Health and Social Care (fka Lifespan Health) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Rehabilitation
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2025 12:30
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2025 12:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100930
DOI:	10.1111/jan.70355

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