title: Using unstructured diaries for primary data collection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To give a reflective account of using unstructured handwritten diaries as a method of collecting qualitative data.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Diaries are primarily used in research as a method of collecting qualitative data. There are some challenges associated with their use, including compliance rates. However, they can provide a rich source of meaningful data and can avoid the difficulties of participants trying to precisely recall events after some time has elapsed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The author used unstructured handwritten diaries as her primary method of collecting data during her grounded theory doctoral study, when she examined the professional socialisation of nursing students. Over two years, 26 participants selected from four consecutive recruited groups of nursing students volunteered to take part in the study and were asked to keep a daily diary throughout their first five weeks of clinical experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  When using open-ended research questions, grounded theory's pragmatic approach permits the examination of processes thereby creating conceptual interpretive understanding of data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A wealth of rich, detailed data was obtained from the diaries that permitted the development of new theories regarding the effects early clinical experiences have on nursing students' professional socialisation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diaries were found to provide insightful in-depth qualitative data in a resource-friendly manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse researchers should consider using diaries as an alternative to more commonly used approaches to collecting qualitative data.
authors.affiliation: Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: Juliet Anne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002982:Clinical Clerkship; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D063545:Personal Narratives as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D012951:Socialization; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Diary keeping; grounded theory; nursing students; professional socialisation; qualitative data collection; unstructured written diaries