Secondary analysis of qualitative data: a valuable method for exploring sensitive issues with an elusive population?

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Description/Abstract

This paper demonstrates the process of conducting a secondary analysis of primary qualitative datasets. Whilst there is a well-established tradition of carrying out a secondary analysis of quantitative datasets within social and health research this has not been the case with qualitative datasets. Despite a recent growth in interest in secondary analysis of qualitative data, very little information is available regarding the process as publications tend to focus on the outcomes of analyses. A secondary analysis of 28 transcripts sorted from two primary datasets containing longitudinal and cross-sectional interview data was carried out. The choice of applying a secondary analysis fulfilled the aims of: i) addressing a sensitive area of research, and ii) accessing a research population that was elusive, factors that may be barriers to carrying out research in areas that are considered to be of a sensitive nature, or topic