ABSTRACT

There is a relative paucity of studies specifically exploring the experiences of qualitative researchers undertaking research in socially sensitive areas or with marginalised groups. This paper reports some of the findings of a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of 10 participant researchers. The findings of this study suggest that participant researchers are cognisant of issues of power and privilege in conducting their research. They also illustrate the motivation to enact change via the research findings. However, they demonstrate the complexities of power, privilege and change in the research process and how these concepts can be related to researcher guilt. The study shows that experience can act as a buffer in the qualitative research process but that further work in researcher resilience is required. Participant researchers suggest the need for more honest and open discussions around foundational principles of qualitative research. They suggest further development of cross-institutional spaces for these discussions to take place. However, the paper also illustrates the necessity to consider issues of power, privilege and research as social change at individual, institutional and systemic levels.

摘要

相对较少的研究专门探索定性研究人员在社会敏感领域或边缘化群体进行研究的经验。本文报告了使用半结构化访谈来探索 10 名参与研究人员的经验的定性研究的一些结果。这项研究的结果表明，参与研究的研究人员在进行研究时认识到权力和特权问题。他们还通过研究结果说明了实施变革的动机。然而，他们展示了研究过程中权力、特权和变化的复杂性，以及这些概念如何与研究人员的内疚相关联。该研究表明，经验可以在定性研究过程中起到缓冲作用，但需要进一步研究研究人员的复原力。参与研究的研究人员建议需要围绕定性研究的基本原则进行更诚实和公开的讨论。他们建议进一步发展跨机构空间以进行这些讨论。然而，本文也说明了将权力、特权和研究问题视为个人、机构和系统层面的社会变革的必要性。