The Qualitative Study

The Qualitative sub-study has been designed in collaboration with researchers at Keele University to assess a number of factors related to the treatment of bipolar in various settings.

What is a nested study?

A nested study is a study which takes place within a larger trial. This nested study works with participants already taking part in the ASCEnD Trial.

While the overall trial will assess different treatment options in people with bipolar, the nested study will be taking place to:

-Evaluate the experience of people taking part in ASCEnD.

-Understand how we can improve the experience.

We are doing this to give our participants a voice and a chance to feed back their thoughts and opinions while the trial is still open so that we can improve our processes for future participants.

The Qualitative Study is being led by collaborating researchers at Keele University.

ASCEnD qualitative study explanation by Isobel, research associate at Keele University.

How Will We Do This?

We will conduct interviews with both participants and staff, which should not last longer than 45 minutes.  

During the interviews, we will ask several questions to evaluate and understand participant experience and explore perspectives on the diagnosis and management of bipolar.  

The findings from the nested study will help strengthen the results from the clinical trial by providing a deeper understanding of the participants’ lived experience.

Specifically, we will interview trial participants to:

  • Understand why some participants withdrew from ASCEnD

  • Understand why some participants completed ASCEnD

We will also explore perspectives on:

  • The diagnosis and management of bipolar

  • The medications prescribed to people with bipolar

Qualitative Study FAQs

  • Personal data will only be accessible to the researcher during the interviews.

  • Yes, all interviews will be recorded and deleted at a later date.

  • You are free to withdraw from the study for any reason, at any time.

  • Yes, all interviews will be anonymous and all identifying information will be omitted.

  • We will ask questions that explore your personal experience. For example, “how has living with bipolar disorder affected you?” and “can you tell me how you came to be involved in the trial (ASCEnD)?”.

  • Carolyn Chew Graham (OBE) and Isobel Hoppe from Keele University are carrying out this part of the research. Click here to meet the whole trial team.