Table 2.

Example of data analysis process using Colaizzi Method.

Data analysis step	Identifying significant statements	Formulating meanings	Clustering themes	Exhaustive description	Fundamental structure
Explanation	Sections of verbatim transcripts where key points were made	Analysing significant statements to identify meanings related to the phenomenon	Grouping identified meanings into themes that appear frequently	A detailed description of themes related to the phenomenon	Summary of the exhaustive description encompassing the essential composition of the phenomenon
Example	“You can’t relax into something properly until you’ve gotten that bit out of the way. It’s just always in the back of your mind until it comes up–like how is it gonna come up, when is it gonna come up, what’s their reaction gonna be, cause there’s always a possibility that it’s gonna be bad” [P3]	It is difficult to relax into or feel comfortable in a relationship until the MS diagnosis is disclosed. It is something that is always on the back of one’s mind until it comes up. You wonder how it will come up, when it will come up, or what the other person’s reaction will be. There is a fear that their reaction could be bad	Fear of rejection associated with disclosing that you have MS	Figuring out exactly when it is appropriate to disclose the diagnosis in a developing romantic relationship can be difficult and requires careful thought and consideration of the circumstances under which it should be disclosed	Deciding when and whether to disclose the diagnosis in a developing romantic relationship is personal and requires careful thought and consideration about the circumstances under which it should be disclosed