Qualitative Research in Practice : Stories From the Field - Blogs Unpad

Qualitative research in practice
So whereas in other research we may just be able to
go out there and capture the information we need, in
agency research we need to be able to be more
responsive to the particularities of each situation we
encounter and to modify our plans accordingly. Sometimes
this means we get a less than ideal data capture,
but that is the way it is and we do not have a right to
undermine interventions in the pursuit of good quality
data.
Another issue was the potential for research data to
be used in staff evaluations. This was one of the reasons
that lay behind the decision to set up the research
centre as functionally separate from the service delivery
arm of the organisation and also for building a strong
relationship with the university. We maintained
research records really carefully and in fact were never
asked to furnish information to the organisation about
performance issues. I think the organisation was very
aware of this issue and handled the boundaries really
well.
Our background in qualitative research helped us
to deal effectively with many of these challenges
because of the focus on developing and maintaining
good research relationships that will sustain intense
research. So our work emphasised working with
people to find solutions to their concerns that could
then be fitted into our methodology rather than simply
telling them ‘that was the way it had to be’.
Comments
It can readily be seen from the above examples of qualitative
research that the researcher is indeed the instrument of their own
research and that the interpersonal relationships and dynamics
which can emerge are complex and deeply charged for both the
researcher and the researched. Such research calls for researchers of
the highest personal and professional integrity with a deep capacity
for reflexivity.
When we listen to these direct accounts we can see how unique
each study is and how guidelines for conducting ethical research
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