title: Parallel-Serial Memoing: A Novel Approach to Analyzing Qualitative Data.
abstract: The mechanisms by which talking therapies exert their beneficial effects are largely unknown. In exploring the process of a talking therapy, motivational interviewing (MI), when used to treat and prevent low mood in stroke survivors, we developed, what we believe to be, a novel approach to analyzing transcripts. We illustrate the method using qualitative data from MI sessions with 10 stroke survivors. The approach, drawing on grounded theory, incorporated processes of parallel and serial memoing among a team of researchers to allow a process of validation. This enabled us to describe session content and to develop theoretical interpretations of what was occurring in and across MI sessions. We found that this process can be used to integrate different perspectives in theory building, allowing for a richer description and more robust theoretical interpretation. Others can use and adapt this approach to develop insights into their own inquiry.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kulsum
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Malcolm F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Auton
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bernie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Caroline L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.affiliation: 2 University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Leathley
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Catherine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Lightbody
keywords: United Kingdom; content analysis; coping and adaptation; psychology; qualitative; qualitative analysis; stroke; theory development