What is it about?
As per the theory of participant observation, three novice research midwives joined a group of midwives being used as a sample for the observational study. These participant researchers kept reflective diaries in order to self-assess conscious responses to the environments in which data was collected. Their responses were subjected to content analysis, and five themes identified. A reflective diary can be used as a tool in research to form a basis for self-development to improve practice.
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Why is it important?
Our findings show that keeping of diaries during participant observation as a source of data for reflection and analysis promotes critical thinking and confidence building among novice researchers.
Perspectives
Writing this article sharpened my communication skills which was necessary to keep co-authors engaged in dialogue until the publication of the article. Use of diaries as a method for data collection can successfully be done providing qualitative data embedded in the original script which can be revisited for further analysis.
Christina Mudokwenyu-Rawdon
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Experiences, thoughts and challenges of participant observation, African Journal of Midwifery and Women s Health, October 2017, Mark Allen Group,
DOI: 10.12968/ajmw.2017.11.4.185.
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Contributors
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