Iterative cycles in qualitative research: Introducing the RREAL Sheet as an innovative process

Qualitative research is increasingly becoming a valued resource in time-sensitive contexts where study findings are required promptly to inform changes in policy and practice. The field of rapid qualitative research has generated tools to enable prompt data collection and analysis, frequently relying on the use of tables or matrices to facilitate the categorisation and interpretation of qualitative data. Missing from the literature, are working documents or flexible processes that can help qualitative researchers to synthesize data as data collection is ongoing. This paper describes the use of the RREAL Sheet, a tool developed by our team to facilitate the identification of gaps during data collection, the collaborative interpretation and sense-making of findings and the synthesis of findings so these can be shared with stakeholders in real-time. We provide a step-by-step description for the design and use of RREAL sheets, and critically engage with their benefits and limitations. We also describe a case example of using the sheets in a recent study that focused on exploring the perceptions and experiences of healthcare workers delivering care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. We argue that RREAL sheets can be a valuable tool for qualitative researchers interested in conducting responsive research where findings can be actively used by a wide range of stakeholders.