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.