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Presentation by Dorothy Atkinson at first ESRC funded seminar on participatory research, hosted by Jane Seale and colleagues at Plymouth University, Jan 10th, 2013
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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