Table 3 Qualitative Content Analysis. (adapted from Bengtsson, 2016 [40])

Stage 1: Decontextualisation

Identifying meaning units

The written text responses were uploaded to NVivo 12 and read through several times to help the researchers get a sense of the whole and become familiar with and immersed in the data. Units of meaning were then coded.

Stage 2: Recontextualisation

Compare with the original data

Original text was re-read alongside list of codes to check if all aspects of content were covered in relation to the aim.

Stage 3: Categorisation

Identify homogeneous groups

Groups of similar codes were condensed together. Codes were then categorised according to their meaning.

Stage 4: Compilation

Draw realistic conclusions

A manifest analysis was utilised, using the words of the participants, thereby staying close to the original meanings and context.