Researching with people you know: Issues in interviewing
Tracy McConnell-Henry
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC
Ainsley James
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC
Ysanne Chapman
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC
Karen Francis
Rural Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Gippsland Campus, Churchill VIC
PP: 002 - 009
Abstract
Interviewing is a key strategy used to elicit data in qualitative research. Whilst many nurse researchers are cognizant of the skills required to conduct a successful research interview, researchers may be less comfortable with the notion of interviewing a participant with whom the researcher claims a pre-existing, or dual relationship; a phenomenon becoming more apparent as the volume of researchers escalates especially in rural settings or smaller, heavily specialized fields.
Issues pertaining to this particular situation are analyzed, debated and discussed. Furthermore tactics designed to enhance the research process whilst upholding the well-being of the researcher will be illustrated and elucidated.
Keywords
qualitative research, nursing, interviewing, pre-existing relationships, role conflict, trust
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