Maud Hevink

| 115 5 Impact of different data collection methods There is potential for various data collection methods to impact on research experience and data quality – especially the use of dyads – where varying expectations and disagreements between people with dementia and their caregivers have been previously reported (40). In relation to this, one researcher from Australia, reflected that ‘there were very few disagreements within dyadic interviews between the person with dementia and their caregiver – and I have noticed this occurring previously when using standard interview approaches. This causes me to wonder whether the projective techniques may have lessened the power dynamics because there was less time spent on disagreements about the person’s ‘actual’ history due to the focus on the hypothetical situation’. Another researcher from the Netherlands noted that in one dyadic interview, the person with dementia and the informal caregiver disagreed on minor details throughout the interview (names of places, people and dates). The researcher resolved this by acknowledging both opinions and re-iterated that there was no right or wrong and that detailed information (like names of people or nursing homes) were not always important for the purpose of the interview. The researcher felt that these minor disagreements did not have a significant effect on the course of the interview, or the data collected and that the use of the hypothetical scenario was helpful in resolving the disagreement. Other dyadic interviews did not encounter any such power dynamics affecting the interview. Comprehensibility To effectively participate, participants needed to be able could comprehend the intention of the projective and enabling techniques. In relation to this, our analysis suggests all participants understood the intent of the word associations and were able to effectively brainstorm to produce a variety of responses. Associations with the word ‘dementia’ flowed freely and included words associated with symptoms, stigma, stereotypes, emotions, family and social issues, and nihilism. With regards to ‘support’, word associations included lists of different types of services including informal care, health and medical, and financial services. Some participants also mentioned the primary importance of the love and support of family and spouses and the importance of taking a positive approach including providing supports for adaptation and agency.

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