Aim: To provide an overview of bracketing as a skill in unstructured qualitative research interviews.
Background: Researchers affect the qualitative research process. Bracketing in descriptive phenomenology entails researchers setting aside their pre-understanding and acting non-judgementally. In interpretative phenomenology, previous knowledge is used intentionally to create new understanding.
Data sources: A literature search of bracketing in phenomenology and qualitative research.
Review methods: This is a methodology paper examining the researchers' impact in creating data in creating data in qualitative research.
Discussion: Self-knowledge, sensitivity and reflexivity of the researcher enable bracketing.
Conclusion: Skilled and experienced researchers are needed to use bracketing in unstructured qualitative research interviews.
Implications for research/practice: Bracketing adds scientific rigour and validity to any qualitative study.
Keywords: Bracketing; phenomenology; qualitative interview; reflexivity; researcher’s role; unstructured interview.