Researcher-researched Relationship in Qualitative Research: Shifts in Positions and Researcher Vulnerability

Overview

Journal Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being

Specialties Health Services
Public Health

Date 2016 Jun 17

PMID 27307132

Citations 40

Authors

Malfrid Raheim

Liv Heide Magnussen

Ragnhild Johanne Tveit Sekse

Ashild Lunde

Torild Jacobsen

Astrid Blystad

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The researcher role is highly debated in qualitative research. This article concerns the researcher-researched relationship.

Methods: A group of health science researchers anchored in various qualitative research traditions gathered in reflective group discussions over a period of two years.

Results: Efforts to establish an anti-authoritarian relationship between researcher and researched, negotiation of who actually "rules" the research agenda, and experiences of shifts in "inferior" and "superior" knowledge positions emerged as central and intertwined themes throughout the discussions. The dual role as both insider and outsider, characteristic of qualitative approaches, seemed to lead to power relations and researcher vulnerability which manifested in tangible ways.

Conclusion: Shifting positions and vulnerability surfaced in various ways in the projects. They nonetheless indicated a number of similar experiences which can shed light on the researcher-researched relationship. These issues could benefit from further discussion in the qualitative health research literature.

Citing Articles

Reactions, Reality, and Resilience in Adults with Crohn's Disease: A Qualitative Study.

Jones K, Baker K, Tew G, Naisby J Crohns Colitis 360. 2025; 7(1):otaf003.

PMID: 39917030 PMC: 11799741. DOI: 10.1093/crocol/otaf003.

Does online case-based learning foster clinical reasoning skills? A mixed-methods study.

Lim J, Veasuvalingam B Future Healthc J. 2024; 12(1):100210.

PMID: 39654610 PMC: 11625323. DOI: 10.1016/j.fhj.2024.100210.

Ethical challenges in qualitative sociology: a systematic literature review.

Scheytt C, Pfluger J Front Sociol. 2024; 9:1458423.

PMID: 39385975 PMC: 11461490. DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1458423.

Tailoring Sexual Health Research Practices to Meet the Needs of Adolescent Girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Findings from Mexico.

Servin A, Macklin R, Wilkerson S, Rocha-Jimenez T, Rangel G, OBryan S Adolescents. 2024; 4(1):158-170.

PMID: 39372066 PMC: 11452014. DOI: 10.3390/adolescents4010011.

Conducting mixed methods research with women in a forensic mental health setting: A reflexive account from a nurse as researcher.

Hansen A, Hazelton M, Rosina R, Inder K Nurs Open. 2024; 11(9):e70038.

PMID: 39331801 PMC: 11432457. DOI: 10.1002/nop2.70038.

References

Jack S . Guidelines to support nurse-researchers reflect on role conflict in qualitative interviewing. Open Nurs J. 2009; 2:58-62. PMC: 2582827. DOI: 10.2174/1874434600802010058. View

Malacrida C . Reflexive journaling on emotional research topics: ethical issues for team researchers. Qual Health Res. 2007; 17(10):1329-39. DOI: 10.1177/1049732307308948. View

Kidd J, Finlayson M . Navigating uncharted water: research ethics and emotional engagement in human inquiry. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2006; 13(4):423-8. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2006.00999.x. View

Hewitt J . Ethical components of researcher researched relationships in qualitative interviewing. Qual Health Res. 2007; 17(8):1149-59. DOI: 10.1177/1049732307308305. View

Dickson-Swift V, James E, Kippen S, Liamputtong P . Risk to researchers in qualitative research on sensitive topics: issues and strategies. Qual Health Res. 2008; 18(1):133-44. DOI: 10.1177/1049732307309007. View

Lowes L, Paul G . Participants' experiences of being interviewed about an emotive topic. J Adv Nurs. 2006; 55(5):587-95. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03950.x. View

Burns E, Fenwick J, Schmied V, Sheehan A . Reflexivity in midwifery research: the insider/outsider debate. Midwifery. 2010; 28(1):52-60. DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2010.10.018. View

Sekse R, Gjengedal E, Raheim M . Living in a changed female body after gynecological cancer. Health Care Women Int. 2012; 34(1):14-33. DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2011.645965. View

Coar L, Sim J . Interviewing one's peers: methodological issues in a study of health professionals. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2006; 24(4):251-6. DOI: 10.1080/02813430601008479. View

10.

Angel S . Grasping the experience of the other from an interview: self-transposition in use. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2013; 8:20634. PMC: 3752432. DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v8i0.20634. View

11.

Goodwin D, Pope C, Mort M, Smith A . Ethics and ethnography: an experiential account. Qual Health Res. 2003; 13(4):567-77. DOI: 10.1177/1049732302250723. View

12.

Lalor J, Begley C, Devane D . Exploring painful experiences: impact of emotional narratives on members of a qualitative research team. J Adv Nurs. 2006; 56(6):607-16. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04039.x. View

13.

Nilsen S, Werner E, Maeland S, Eriksen H, Magnussen L . Considerations made by the general practitioner when dealing with sick-listing of patients suffering from subjective and composite health complaints. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2010; 29(1):7-12. PMC: 3347936. DOI: 10.3109/02813432.2010.514191. View

14.

Hutchinson S, Wilson M, Wilson H . Benefits of participating in research interviews. Image J Nurs Sch. 1994; 26(2):161-4. DOI: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1994.tb00937.x. View

15.

Finlay L . "Outing" the researcher: the provenance, process, and practice of reflexivity. Qual Health Res. 2002; 12(4):531-45. DOI: 10.1177/104973202129120052. View

16.

Richards H, Emslie C . The 'doctor' or the 'girl from the University'? Considering the influence of professional roles on qualitative interviewing. Fam Pract. 2000; 17(1):71-5. DOI: 10.1093/fampra/17.1.71. View

17.

Enosh G, Ben-Ari A . Cooperation and conflict in qualitative research: a dialectical approach to knowledge production. Qual Health Res. 2009; 20(1):125-30. DOI: 10.1177/1049732309348503. View

18.

Karnieli-Miller O, Strier R, Pessach L . Power relations in qualitative research. Qual Health Res. 2009; 19(2):279-89. DOI: 10.1177/1049732308329306. View

19.

Richards H, Schwartz L . Ethics of qualitative research: are there special issues for health services research?. Fam Pract. 2002; 19(2):135-9. DOI: 10.1093/fampra/19.2.135. View

20.

Tee S, Lathlean J . The ethics of conducting a co-operative inquiry with vulnerable people. J Adv Nurs. 2004; 47(5):536-43. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2004.03130.x. View