Table 1.

Stages in analysis of qualitative data: Examples of codes, categories and themes

What attracted you to apply for your first post in clinical research?
Examples of Codes	Categories (Sub‐themes)	Themes
Interest in research, BSc/MSc dissertation, previous research	Opportunity to pursue long‐standing interest in Research/research post	Research Focused
Create new knowledge, tackle health problems, evidence based practice	Attracted to research as a way to improve patient care
Diversity, flexibility, variety	Attracted to specific aspects of research nurse role
New challenge, something different, change direction	Looking for something new and different	Change Focused
New skills, better use of skills	Looking to develop new skills or use skills more fully
Push factors, want to move, complete change	Looking to escape from current post
Opportunity arose, spontaneous response to chance	Response to unexpected opportunity (Opportunistic)
Invited to apply, offered post, head‐hunted	Response to invitation from someone else
Career development, promotion, progression	Career advancement	Personal Objectives focused
Clinical area, research topic, consultant/clinical team	Opportunity to work in specific clinical area or clinical topic
Mix clinical & research skills, keep patient contact in new context	Balance of clinical and research activities
No shift work, off busy wards, family friendly hours	Better work conditions

Factors affecting intention to leave research post
Examples of Codes	Categories	Levels of Analysis
Explore other roles, lose interest in research, seek new challenges	Desire for further change in future	Individual level
Knowledge/skills out of date, struggle to go back to ward, risk drop in salary	Concern about loss of clinical skills
Change in family responsibilities, less constrained, shift in focus/ambition	Rebalancing work & family responsibilities	Micro level
No job security, one year contract, unreliable employment,	Short term contracts	Meso level
Training needs not met, isolated & unsupported, skills/experience not recognised	Research and researchers not valued
No career progression, no career pathway, not supported to progress	Lack of career structure & progression