1. Qualiti seminar: using qualitative research to inform policy and practice Using longitudinal methods in qualitative research: implications for policy and practice Jane Lewis 4 April 2006

2. What do we mean by longitudinal research? continuous research panel design repeated cross-sectional studies reconvened research events any research which involves repeated research events and is concerned with change over time

3. Why is it especially relevant to policy research? policies are processes policies are usually intended to bring about change policies happen in the context of peoples lives the implementation of policy changes the policy environment changes the questions asked of policies change

4. How does qualitative research illuminate change? describing change explaining change … and its absence locating change … and its absence responding to change

5. Example design: New Deal for Disabled People Wave 1 Site Visits Wave 2Wave 1 Workshop Event Wave 2 Wave 1 Clients Job Brokers

6. Example design: Job Retention and Rehabilitation Pilots Cohort 1 Cohort 2 Cohort 3 Study 1Study 2 Clients Providers 6 Interviews Visits and seminars throughout research period

7. Fieldwork challenges sample size keeping in touch intensive preparation maintaining coherence jointly constructing understanding vs observing change sustaining spontaneity and participants perspective

8. Analytical challenges Chronology of account Re-presentation to researcher Re-interpretation by researcher Re-interpretation by participant Discordant data Relationships between themes

9. Ethical challenges relationship between researcher and participant consent as an on-going process coercion and facilitating withdrawal intrusion and burden … and reward equal opportunities and demands holding up a mirror

10. Jane Lewis - NatCen j.lewis@natcen.ac.uk www.natcen.ac.uk 020 7549 9541 4 April 2006