Citation

Poopuu B. Soc. Epistomiol. 2020; 34(1): 31-42.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02691728.2019.1681556

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article explores the potential merits of a dialogical research design and practice, and how this might alleviate the harmful effects of doing research in vulnerable contexts. A dialogical approach suggests that the study of social phenomena should follow the logic of co-being, the understanding of radical interdependency and empathetic relationships when it comes to onto-epistemological commitments but also during the practical research steps. This article studies how dialogue is translated into theoretical and practical steps that allows for research that is integrally ethical, useful and safe(r). First, the dialogical research design helps prevent and/or minimise potential psychological challenges for the researcher as it aims from the start to ensure that the research project would have a positive impact. Positive impact translates into contextually negotiated ideas of what the research should achieve and 'give back' to the researched. The conceptual work done by a dialogical research design enables us to envisage more empathetic encounters with the researched and leave room for their perspectives. Next, the article discusses two practical steps - assembling a local project board and talking to a psychologist - that help reimagine our research process. The article concludes with a reflection on how a holistic dialogical approach, combining the conceptual with the practical, makes research less harmful for both parties to research.

Language: en

Keywords

(self-)care; Dialogical research design; fieldwork chats; local project board