Event-oriented data integration: a qualitative strategy in studying professional practice

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present a qualitative mixed-method strategy that uncovers the compound reality in professional practice and the inner aspects of actions, feelings, values, and thoughts embedded therein. The authors developed a systematic strategy for collecting and handling data from different sources. This strategy, called event-oriented data integration represents within-method triangulation as well as triangulation during data analysis. The analysis involves 2 distinctive new steps for structuring of data--the braiding of data threads and the braiding of data ropes. We found that the process of weaving together different data created an inclusive text that allowed the researcher to undertake a holistic, coherent, and consistent analysis and to attain a more complete picture of professional practice.