Publications by year
2017
Phoenix C, Orr N (2017). Analysing exceptions within qualitative data: promoting analytical diversity to advance knowledge of ageing and physical activity.
Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health,
9(3), 271-284.
Abstract:
Analysing exceptions within qualitative data: promoting analytical diversity to advance knowledge of ageing and physical activity
Looking for patterns of meaning within data to identify central themes is a common form of analysis within qualitative research in sport, exercise and health. Far less analytical scrutiny has been directed toward how researchers might deal with ‘exceptional’ data. That is, data which, while telling us something about a central theme, deviates significantly from its defining plotline and characteristics. The purpose of this predominantly methodological paper is to examine exceptions in data gathered from interviews with 51 (m = 23; f = 28) physically active older adults (60–92 years of age). Exploiting exceptions within our data revealed unique perspectives within the central themes of: healthy ageing, relationships, and bereavement. Problematising the rise of–and indeed pressure for–methodological simplicity within qualitative research, we assert the continued need for complexity for progressing the intellectual agenda of ageing and physical activity. Engaging with methodological multiplicity, particularly at the level of qualitative data analysis (e.g. via a focus on exceptions), produces important and original knowledge, which has direct relevance for the development of theory, methods and health policy.
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2016
Orr N, Wagstaffe A, Briscoe S, Garside R (2016). How do older people describe their sensory experiences of the natural world? a systematic review of the qualitative evidence.
BMC Geriatr,
16Abstract:
How do older people describe their sensory experiences of the natural world? a systematic review of the qualitative evidence.
BACKGROUND: Despite the increased scholarly interest in the senses and sensory experiences, the topic of older people's sensory engagement with nature is currently under researched. This paper reviews and synthesises qualitative research evidence about how older people, including those living with dementia, describe their sensory engagement with the natural world. METHODS: Ten databases were searched from 1990 to September 2014: MEDLINE (Ovid), MEDLINE-in-Process (Ovid), PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), GreenFILE (EBSCO), ProQuest Sociology, ASSIA (ProQuest), International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (ProQuest); HMIC (Ovid); Social Policy and Practice (Ovid). Forward and backward citation chasing of included articles was conducted; 20 organizations were contacted to identify unpublished reports. Screening was undertaken independently by two reviewers. RESULTS: Twenty seven studies were included. Thematic analysis revealed that descriptions of sensory experiences are encompassed within six themes: descriptions from 'the window'; sensory descriptions that emphasise vision; descriptions of 'being in nature'; descriptions of 'doing in nature'; barriers to sensory engagement; and meanings of being and doing in nature. CONCLUSIONS: Older people derive considerable pleasure and enjoyment from viewing nature, being and doing in nature which, in turn has a positive impact on their wellbeing and quality of life. Future research could usefully explore how sensory engagement with nature could be used to stimulate reminiscences of places and people, and evoke past sensory experiences to enrich everyday life and maintain a sense of self. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO ( CRD42015020736 ).
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Sharpe R, Smith JR, Orr N, Phoenix C, Bethel A, Goodwin V, Lang I, Garside R (2016). PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS IN OLDER ADULTS: a SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF REVIEWS.
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2014
Orr N, Phoenix C (2014). Photographing physical activity: Using visual methods to 'grasp at' the sensual experiences of the ageing body.
Qualitative ResearchAbstract:
Photographing physical activity: Using visual methods to 'grasp at' the sensual experiences of the ageing body.
Within the sociology of sport there is a small but rich strand of literature
concerned with understanding the sensual experiences of sport and
physical activity. Whilst this work has advanced our understanding of the
sensual sporting body, less is known about the mature sporting body and
the sensual experiences of older adults. Gaining an insight into the sensual
experiences of others is no easy task and this paper critically reflects on
the methods used to 'grasp at' (Hockey and Allen-Collinson, 2007) older
adults' embodied experiences of physical activity. An account of the
process and outcomes of the method employed is presented along with
visual and textual data to illustrate the problems and possibilities of
exploring the sensual experiences of the ageing body within the context of physical activity.
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Phoenix C, Orr N (2014). Pleasure: a forgotten dimension of ageing and physical activity.
Social Science and Medicine,
115, 94-102.
Abstract:
Pleasure: a forgotten dimension of ageing and physical activity.
Pleasure is an under-researched and under theorized concept within health and health-related areas, particularly in relation to physical activity in older age. This gap is addressed here. The paper forms part of a larger qualitative project conducted between March 2011 and July 2013 within which fifty-one physically active older adults (age sixty to ninety-two years) were interviewed about their experiences of physical activity. Twenty-seven of these participants were also involved in a photo elicitation exercise whereby they responded to photographic images of themselves doing their activity. The paper reports in-depth on one of the themes – pleasure – that was initially identified through a rigorous categorical-content analysis of this data. An original typology of pleasure for physical activity in older age is developed, which details four significant ideal types of pleasure: sensual pleasure; documented pleasure; the pleasure of habitual action; and the pleasure of immersion. The implications of this typology for debates around embodiment, affect, and narratives of ageing are discussed in relation to health promotion and future research in this underserved area.
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