RESEARCH IN BRIEF Story-sharing as a method of data collection in qualitative research Brenda Hayman, Lesley Wilkes, Debra Jackson and Elizabeth Halcomb Accepted for publication: 10 September 2011 Aim The aim of this article is to demonstrate the use of story- sharing as a practical and valuable method of data collec- tion in qualitative research interviews. The benefits and limitations of the method will be evaluated and discussed. Background Story-sharing is the reciprocal exchange of relevant stories between the participant and researcher in qualitative research for the purpose of engaging the participant in a genuinely mutual experience that yields superior quality data because of that relationship. There is little documented in the literature about story-sharing. The use of story-sharing as a method of data collection is a technique used to achieve reciprocity that incorporates the processes of self-disclosure to reveal insider status and storytelling (ST). The primary purpose of self-disclosure is to make known the insider status of the researcher and ST permits participants to share their account thus legitimising their experiences, allowing them to reclaim power and (re)shape their identity (Hollo- way & Freshwater 2007). Story-sharing adds to ST by promoting an authentic relationship based on mutual understanding and experience of a specific phenomenon. Sharing relevant stories during data collection weakens the participant/researcher power imbalance, creates a safe envi- ronment, promotes trust and understanding and simulta- neously establishes a cooperative researcher/participant relationship that has greater potential to yield more accurate and rich data. Design This article does not report on a study that collected primary data, but instead describes a method of data collection with a definite focus on the technique. Methods Story-sharing is a method of data collection that can be used during qualitative research interviews. It involves a two-way sharing of stories central to the research topic. The researcher deliberately and strategically discloses relevant stories that promote safety for those who might otherwise feel threatened or at risk when sharing personal informa- tion. Reciprocity is achieved through story-sharing, and Maiter et al. (2008) assert that there are two main ideas central to reciprocity; exchange and equality. Gintis et al. (2008) add that strong reciprocity is the inclination to cooperate with others in a shared social setting or task. This strategy is of particular interest when interviewing margina- lised groups about sensitive topics. Marginalised, stigma- tised and fundamentally invisible groups in the community (for example, lesbian mothers) require approaches that attain authentic and rich data without further disempower- ing the participants. Results Story-sharing is a data collection method that enhances the depth and amount of data collected in qualitative inter- views. However, there are three limitations of story-sharing Authors: Brenda Hayman, RN, MN, Associate Lecturer, University of Western Sydney; Lesley Wilkes, RN, PhD, Professor of Nursing, University of Western Sydney; Debra Jackson, RN, PhD, Professor of Nursing, University of Western Sydney and University of Technology; Elizabeth Halcomb, RN, PhD, Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia Correspondence: Brenda Hayman, Associate Lecturer, University of Western Sydney, Locked bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Telephone: +61 45 701 929. E-mail: b.hayman@uws.edu.au Ó 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 285–287 285 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2011.04002.x