The Listening Guide: Illustrating an underused voice‐centred methodology to foreground underrepresented research populations

Abstract

AbstractAimTo highlight the value of utilizing the Listening Guide methodology for nursing research and provide an exemplar applying this methodology to explore a novel concept in an underrepresented group—inner strength in persons newly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment along with their care partners.DesignMethodology discussion paper.MethodsThe exemplar study used the Listening Guide methods for data elicitation and analysis. Methods included adaptations for the study population and novice qualitative researchers.ResultsThe Listening Guide methodology with adaptations enabled the research team to centre the voices of persons living with mild cognitive impairment, highlight an abstract phenomenon and attend to the influences of the sociopolitical context. Further, this methodology helped address common challenges emerging qualitative researchers encounter, including understanding methods of application, engaging reflexively and immersing in the data.ConclusionThe Listening Guide is a voice‐centred qualitative methodology that is well suited to foreground the experiences of groups underrepresented in research and explore emerging phenomena.Implications for NursingNurses are central to striving for health equity. The Listening Guide methodology offers a valuable and accessible research tool to understand the experiences and needs of underrepresented groups and shape healthcare in response.ImpactThe Listening Guide methodology can be broadly applied to research with persons with mild cognitive impairment, and other underrepresented groups, to explore other phenomena beyond inner strength and move the science forward in representing the perspectives of groups underrepresented by research.Patient or Public ContributionPersons living with cognitive impairment and their care partners participated in study conceptualization, interview guide development, methods development and dissemination plans.