As previously discussed, constant comparison is an integral component of GT and therefore was utilised throughout the analysis stage of this study. Constant comparison dictates that the researcher constantly revisit the data in order to check for comparisons of experiences, interpretations and actions within and across
transcripts with the aim of confirming or discounting theory as this emerges from the data through the progression of the analysis (Charmaz, 2006). It was also pertinent to bear in mind the family context and individuals’ presentations during interview when considering such comparisons. At the open coding level this was carried out by
Conceal HIV Secrecy burden Stigma HIV stigmatises me Sexual risk fears Transmission anxiety HIV burden HIV isolates me Talking = upset Protect self from pain Distance from HIV HIV isolates me Only family aware Secrecy burden Stigma HIV stigmatises me HIV is no different I am normal Desire to fit in HIV can’t change me HIV motivates me HIV as motivator Self-growth HIV adds to my life Family ignore HIV Family avoidance strategy Distance from HIV HIV isolates me Bad for relationships Relationship concerns HIV burden HIV stigmatises me HIV keeps me healthy HIV = excellent health Self-growth HIV adds to my life I’m strong for family Protect others from pain Distance from HIV HIV isolates me
repeatedly coding the transcripts and remaining mindful of repeated codes that either appeared earlier in the transcript or earlier within other transcripts. This was done by making comparisons within individual transcripts but also across the group to which that transcript was organised i.e. HIV positive siblings and HIV negative siblings. At the axial coding level, this was carried out by constantly comparing codes in order to gain a sense of whether or not they represented the same phenomena. Again this was achieved both within individual transcripts and across the group to which the
transcript was organised. At the theoretical coding level, this was carried out by revisiting the raw data and making comparisons between this and the emerging theoretical formulation in order to ensure that the resulting grounded theory was able to reflect the stories shared by participants as accurately as possible.
2.8.2 Memo Writing
Memo writing is another integral component of GT research (Clarke, 2005). Throughout the analysis process the author maintained a reflective diary capturing his initial impressions of the data set, his impressions of interviews as a whole as well as impressions of what sense he made of participants’ experiences. This enabled the author to record initial ideas regarding subcategories and also allowed the author to hold onto ambiguous data or emerging theories that he could then take to research supervision. This proved useful in terms of highlighting emerging themes given that the author was able to maintain a record following each interview of the more prominent issues that arose during this time with participants. Memo writing proved to be a crucial aid, serving the memory of the author in addition to helping with the constant comparison of the data. An example of the author’s memos is shown in Figure 3.
2.8.3 Diagramming
Diagramming is a further aid when utilising GT as a research methodology. In this study, diagramming served as a crucial aid in helping the author make sense of how emerging themes and sub-themes were interrelated and helped illustrate for the author how these might be further categorised and brought together in a coherent whole. Birks and Mills (2011) have argued that diagramming alongside the analysis of data provides the researcher with an increased sense of the organisation of
emerging interpretations of the data. Diagramming was used throughout all phases of the analysis process in-line with memo writing to capture as fully as possible the author’s interpretations of the data as this progressed and developed. Initially, at the open coding stage, this resulted in intricate and ‘messy’ post-it diagrams that were difficult to comprehend. However, as the analysis of the data progressed the diagrams progressed in parallel and became more coherent and clear, drawing together smaller units of meaning. This proved particularly useful in terms of organising the data for the author and provided an aid for research supervision in which both research supervisors were able to review later diagrams and discuss the understanding of these for the population studied. Examples of completed diagrams are referred to in the results chapter.
2.8.4 Managing mismatched data
During the analysis and indeed following interviews it was apparent that some participants’ experiences were in contrast with one another. For example, some
Memo date: 30/01/2016
Participant SibPair4+ “If I present myself that it’s affecting me yeah then it will affect him as well. In a way, if I present myself like I don’t care and they don’t
see how I feel and think, well he doesn’t care about it so why should we, and they will just leave it there.
Participant is communicating that he puts on this ‘brave face’ in an attempt to protect his family and his sibling in particular. This is done by not expressing own emotional difficulties. I wonder if part of him prefers this style of not outwardly exploring HIV with others close to him?
Link with participant SibPair5-: Feeling responsibility for containing emotions. So this is not specific to HIV + group. Could this have something to do with older sibling feeling responsible for care of younger?
spoke of the overwhelming burden of being HIV positive in terms of emotional difficulties and perceived stigma, whilst one individual recounted an enlightening experience, describing being HIV positive as a greatly positive factor. This was deliberated upon during the analysis stage as these codes are clearly in opposition with one another and therefore become more difficult to structure together. This dichotomy of conflicting data was discussed at length during supervision and it was decided that it was important that this dichotomy was added to the evidence that HIV as an illness has changed and developed over time and as such the experience of HIV may have changed too.