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Chapter 4 Research Method
benefit. The information sheet outlined the aim of the study and the level of
involvement that would be required by participants for the data collection. It was
explained that the project would involve several methods of data collection such as
looking at residents’ nursing notes, observing the working day, conducting surveys,
and interviewing staff, residents and residents’ families. Signed written consent was
then obtained from all staff and residents for the entire study (Appendix 7). Some
residents were unable to sign consent and thus their families were asked to sign
consent on their behalf (proxy consent). Additional signed consent was sought for
the interviews and this was obtained at least 24 hours before the interviews were
conducted (Appendix 8). An information sheet for the interviews was distributed to
staff, residents and residents’ families and this outlined how long the interview may
take, where it would take place, and how both written notes and audio recordings
would be used.
4.4.3 Ensuring Privacy and Confidentiality of Participants
All participants were assigned a numbered code instead of their name. Specific codes
identified the type of participant, e.g. staff nurse = S followed by the number. No
data were removed from the research unit with any identifiable information on them.
Only coded information was entered into the research PC and laptop. The research
PC and laptop were both password protected. The coding list was stored separately
to the data in a locked filing cabinet in the researcher’s locked office. The researcher
had the only key to the filing cabinet and thus was the only person who had access to
the coding list.
4.4.4 Keeping Everyone Informed
In order to ensure that all visitors to the unit and all staff and residents were informed
about the study, information posters were displayed on the notice boards and
corridor walls of the unit. These posters explained the study and provided visitors
with the researcher’s contact details should they wish to discuss the study further.
This was not a recruitment strategy but rather a means to communicate to people that
there was a study in progress. Newsletters were given to all staff, residents and
residents’ families at various intervals throughout the study and this served to keep
people informed.