title: A student's perspective of managing data collection in a complex qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To highlight from a doctoral student's perspective some of the unexpected and challenging issues that may arise when collecting data in a complex, qualitative study.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Using a qualitative approach to undertaking a PhD requires commitment to the research topic, the acquisition of a variety of research skills and the development of expertise in writing. Despite close research supervision and guidance, the first author of this paper experienced unexpected hurdles when collecting data. This article highlights these hurdles and compares them with similar and dissimilar challenges raised by a social researcher with 30 years' experience (White 2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  The first author's experience of field research during her PhD candidature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Informed by a critical theoretical perspective, a snowballing technique was used to examine issues related to data collection by a doctoral student in a qualitative research study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first author found the logistics of qualitative data collection, concerns about transparency, role confusion and power differentials with participants, and the effective use of video recording technology, unexpectedly challenging. Many of these issues are highlighted in the literature and/or during research supervision. However, the student researcher remains a novice when entering the field. It is often only on reflection after encountering the hurdle that the student recognises future pre-emptive or alternative methods of data collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The challenges faced as a doctoral student managing the data collection phase of the study concurred with White's discussion of some of the 'real life challenges that novice researchers might face' (2012). Specific guidance and prudence are needed by research students to know when enough data have been collected for manageable analysis within the limits of candidature. Use of reflexivity and mindfulness practised by the student during this phase assisted the ability to reflect, respond and learn from issues as they arose and aim for a harmonious work, study and life balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper highlights these issues and offers suggestions for other research higher degree students facing similar challenges when collecting data in a complex qualitative study.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Eileen Mary
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Dowse
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Riet
authors.forename: Diana Rosemary
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Keatinge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005192:Family Health; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012108:Research Personnel; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D013338:Students, Nursing