title: The use of the diary as a data collection technique.
abstract: The initiation of a research project requires many decisions, not the least of which is the selection of a method for data collection. This decision is, in large measure, guided by the nature of the research question which generally prescribes the selection of a strategy for data collection from among an array of possible alternatives. This article addresses the use of a diary for data collection. Although diaries have traditionally been used in social science and health research, their use in nursing research is more recent. The article begins with a brief discussion of the rationale for using the diary to gather data in a study of personal and professional caregiving. A brief review of the use of diaries in previous studies follows, along with a description of the use of a diary in the caregiving study and a discussion of the possible threats to high quality data as well as measures used to ensure the collection of high quality data. The article concludes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the diary and makes recommendations regarding its use in nursing research.
authors.affiliation: Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, Ontario.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rideout
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Carson
mesh_terms: D001325:Autobiographies as Topic; D015982:Bias; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research / Q000379:methods*; D012107:Research Design