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Chapter 4 Research Method
who were not eligible to participate but who had family who could be invited on
their behalf. Four family members subsequently volunteered to be interviewed.
Table 4.8: Family members invited to participate in interviews
Residents
who could
not
participate
Residents who
could not
participate and
who had no
family
members
Residents who
could not
participate but
who had
family
members
Family
members
invited for
Interview
25 13 12 12 4
Family
members
who agreed
to participate
Residents’ families’ contact numbers and addresses (n=12) were obtained from the
nursing notes and information sheets were sent to the families explaining the study
and inviting them to participate (Appendix 6). Some of the family members already
knew about the study from regular visits to the unit. The researcher’s contact details
were contained in the information sheet and the families were asked to contact the
researcher by phone or email should they wish to participate. Written consent was
obtained from the family participants (Appendix 8).
Three of the residents’ family members were interviewed in the resident’s own ward
or in the special needs room if there was insufficient privacy in the ward.The
interview was conducted with the resident and their family member, and even if the
resident could not speak they were included in the conversation through listening.
One resident nodded his head several times in agreement with what his brother was
saying. The researcher aimed to create a relaxed environment and began the
interview by asking the resident’s family member what their relative’s demographic
information was.
One family member was interviewed at their place of work. This was in an office
and was free from disturbance.
Two family members chose not to be tape-recorded. Detailed written notes were
taken for these interviews, and these were read back to the family participants at the