Design
Because we saw the participants as the experiential experts on the
subject (Smith & Osborn, 2008), we used a qualitative, phenomenological
hermeneutical approach (Lindseth & Norberg, 2004). A critical realism
perspective (Bhaskar & Hartwig, 2016) enabled us to give significance
to the participants’ individual experiences (Giorgi & Giorgi, 2008).
The Tong, Sainsbury & Craig (2007) consolidated criteria for reporting
qualitative research (COREQ) guidelines was used as the framework for
developing the study design and the data was examined by both
researchers using Lindseth and Norberg’s (2004) phenomenological,
hermeneutical method for analysing interview data. Thematic analysis was
used to identify patterns within and across the participants’
experiences, views and perspectives (Clarke & Braun, 2017).