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Chapter 4 Research Method
maintained. The theme of the question was to ascertain whether or not residents were
involved in making decisions on a daily basis. If the resident found this difficult to
answer the researcher would use probes and prompts like asking them what they had
done so far today, or if they chose the clothes they were wearing, or if they needed
any help with that, or had they chosen what to eat and did they need assistance with
their meals. Prompts around social activities were also used, e.g. “what about your
past-times or hobbies?”
Question Theme
What decisions do you make
on a daily basis?
Figure 4.3: Question 1 from resident interview guide
The researcher then progressed from question to question (Appendix 12) when the
resident had completed each response. The same format was used for all interviews.
Occasionally a resident would start talking about other things like their family or
their life before they were admitted to the unit. The researcher would listen to this
with interest and respect, and then when they were finished would bring them back
to the interview guide.
One resident chose not to be tape recorded. Detailed written notes were taken for this
interview, and these were read back to the resident at the end of the interview in
order to ensure that all the information provided had been accurately recorded.
4.9.6 Family Interviews
Attribute
Residents involved in
decision making and
capacity encouraged and
maintained.
Question
Tell me what you did
yesterday?
Probes
Do you choose what clothes to
wear?
Does anyone help you with
that?
What about meals? Can you
choose what to eat? What about
past-times/activities?
Thirteen residents from a population of 38 residents were eligible to participate and
of the remaining 25 residents, 13 did not have family members. This left 12 residents