Bracketing as a skill in conducting unstructured qualitative interviews

AIM: To provide an overview of bracketing as a skill in unstructured qualitative research interviews. BACKGROUND: Researchers affect the qualitative research process. Bracketing in descriptive phenomenology entails researchers setting aside their pre-understanding and acting non-judgementally. In interpretative phenomenology, previous knowledge is used intentionally to create new understanding. DATA SOURCES: A literature search of bracketing in phenomenology and qualitative research. REVIEW METHODS: This is a methodology paper examining the researchers' impact in creating data in creating data in qualitative research. DISCUSSION: Self-knowledge, sensitivity and reflexivity of the researcher enable bracketing. CONCLUSION: Skilled and experienced researchers are needed to use bracketing in unstructured qualitative research interviews. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH/PRACTICE: Bracketing adds scientific rigour and validity to any qualitative study.