Systematic review has developed as a specific methodology for searching for, appraising and synthesizing findings of primary studies, rapidly become cornerstone the evidence-based practice policy movement. Qualitative research traditionally been excluded from systematic reviews, much effort is now being invested in resolving daunting methodological epistemological challenges associated with trying to move towards more inclusive forms review. We describe our experiences, very diverse...

Objective: Qualitative research is increasingly valued as part of the evidence for policy and practice, but how it should be appraised contested. Various appraisal methods, including checklists other structured approaches, have been proposed rarely evaluated. We aimed to compare three methods appraising qualitative papers that were candidates inclusion in a systematic review on support breast-feeding. Method: A sample 12 breast-feeding was by six reviewers using methods: unprompted...

This article explores men’s articulations and practices of gender through transition to first-time fatherhood. Using qualitative longitudinal data, antenatal intentions postnatal are explored in this study which replicates earlier research on motherhood. The contemporary context the UK is one where paternity leave, discourses caring masculinities more public displays fathering involvement appear offer new possibilities for men. But data analysis shows that whilst opportunities disrupt norms...

This paper explores an aspect of the use qualitative interviewing methods in researching sensitive and private aspects people's lives. Using examples from two research projects that involved inviting participants to narrate their experiences personal transition, dilemmas encountered doing this type 'intimate' are explored. By creating a space which were invited to, felt able experiences, both researchers found they shared sense what had constituted 'successful' interview. was one where...

Qualitative research makes an important contribution to our understanding of health and healthcare. However, qualitative evidence can be difficult search for identify, the effectiveness different types strategies is unknown. Three in example area support breast-feeding were evaluated using six electronic bibliographic databases. The based on thesaurus terms, free-text terms broad-based terms. These combined with recognised previously used a Cochrane review. For each strategy, we recall...

Becoming a mother changes lives in many ways and this original accessible 2005 book explores how women try to make sense of, narrate their experiences of first-time motherhood the Western world. Tina Miller pays close attention women's own accounts, over time, transition shows myths continue because do not feel able voice early (often difficult) mothering. The charts social, cultural moral contours contemporary engages with sociological feminist debates on selves are constituted, maintained...

This article focuses on transition to first-time motherhood and explores the experiences of a group women as they anticipate, give birth, engage in early mothering. It illuminates how these draw on, weave together, challenge dominant strands discourse that circumscribe their journeys into motherhood. Using qualitative longitudinal data, prenatal postnatal episodes are explored. The analysis juxtaposing data reveal different ways anticipate gradually make sense becoming mothers. While there...

As family and work demands become more complex, who is left holding the baby? Tina Miller explores men's experiences of fatherhood provides unique insights into paternal caring, changing masculinities relations to paid work. She focuses on narratives a group men as they first anticipate then experience for time. Her original, longitudinal research contributes contemporary theories gender against backdrop societal policy change. The journeys are both similar varied, illuminate just how deeply...

The ‘involved’ father, who is emotionally and economically engaged, has become a recognisable ideal in many Western societies. Policy changes have to varying degrees endorsed practices of involvement especially around the time birth during early weeks months child’s life. Discursive are discernible too as men engage language caring, bonding emotional, intimate connection through ‘being there’ father. And research on everyday fathers also indicates some degree change. But how far these shifts...

This paper explores the process of going back in qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) to gather later accounts unfolding personal experiences. The design interview-based QLR is usually premised on collecting data, over-time, around an experience or event. facilitates establishment on-going relationship and 'rapport' accessing fluid time-sensitive individual experiences, leading more nuanced understandings temporal subjectivities. However practice maintaining a sample QL research, which...

This paper reports the findings of a small scale, UK based, qualitative longitudinal study on men’s experiences transition to first-time fatherhood. The commenced in 2005, two years after paid paternity leave was introduced and explores how intentions around fathering involvement are imagined shaped prenatal interviews. Subsequent interviews following birth explore actually practiced. introduction heralds possibility father more than just instrumental ways these realised through caring...

This article seeks to explore the ways in which theories of narrative might be significant study childbearing. The event childbirth and process women becoming mothers have major significance for individual biographies are publicly defined. medicalization childbearing placing a natural into pathological illness model has repercussions experience make sense event. complex interweaving public lay narratives that surround this period transition can lead bafflement eventual construction personal...