Using audio-diaries to capture lived experience in health psychology: technological, methodological and epistemological issues

Although diary methods have a long tradition of use within psychology and appear to have considerable
potential in researching health-related processes and experiences, the use of unstructured diary methods to
generate detailed phenomenological accounts within contemporary health psychology has thus far been
limited. In this poster presentation, we describe a recently completed British study in which a sample of
first-time mothers used voice-recording technology to make daily diary entries about their infant feeding
experiences. We present a consideration of the benefits and challenges of this approach to data collection.
In particular, we focus on ethical and epistemological issues, drawing on the accounts of both participants
and members of the research team. We also explore the most suitable ways of analysing data derived from
diaries and consider the practical advantages and limitations of using audio-diaries. Finally, some of the
implications for developing the use of audio-diaries in health psychologists' research and practice are
considered.