Practical and emotional issues in co-researching

Dorothy Atkinson

Plymouth 2013

The Open University

Getting close to peopleBuilding rapport means getting close to people by:

Being friendly and informalCreating a relaxed atmosphereUsing a conversational approachDoing things together

Dangers in getting closeCloseness in research has the potential to:Exploit peopleMake them dependentRaise expectations of friendshipEncourage people to see the researchers as a

supporter/helperDelve into sensitive areasLeave people feeling rejected/sad when it’s

over

The project, initially seen (by me) as lasting a few weeks, in fact lasted almost two years. The acute worry I confided in my diary at the outset (‘How can I retain their interest?’) soon became, and remained, a more chronic anxiety (‘How will it ever end?’). The group, it seemed, had a life and momentum of its own, in spite of my efforts to impose boundaries on its work and limit its lifespan.

I brought the group to an end. It was a ‘happy ending’ for me (and probably for staff members who were involved in organising transport) but not necessarily for anyone else. In a real sense, then, this could be seen as an unhappy ending, with the termination of the group’s life and the subsequent loss of friendships.

Saying goodbye

Ethical and emotional checklistExploitationDependencyExpectations of friendshipPerceptions of the researcher as

supporter/helperSensitive areasRejection and/or sadness

Co-researchers

St Lawrence’s Hospital

Emotions in researchLife’s journey – from darkness into lightPast and present emotionsUsing emotion to bring about changeFinding the right words Gaps and silencesTaking time to talk

Issues for practiceInterviewer/researcher needs to:

Be sympathetic, supportive and acceptingStay with the emotionTake plenty of time