Nurturing the buffer zone: conducting collaborative action research in contemporary contexts

Bennett, H. and Brunner, R. (2022) Nurturing the buffer zone: conducting collaborative action research in contemporary contexts. Qualitative Research, 22(1), pp. 74-92. (doi: 10.1177/1468794120965373)

Abstract

There is a shift in university-based social research towards interdisciplinary working and collaboration with non-academic partners, which requires a reconsideration of methodological concepts and research practices. In this article, we draw on intensive collaborative action research (CAR) into public service reform to demonstrate how this ‘collaborative shift’ both challenges and creates new considerations for mainstream research approaches. We contend that the contemporary emphasis on research collaborations creates challenges for both social science researchers and non-academic partners, which require greater conceptual consideration. Researchers need to engage in distinctive, significant and ongoing relational, pragmatic and political work in multi-agency contexts. We present the concept of a ‘buffer zone’: a dynamic, contextual space and set of practices necessary to undertake participatory research within complex and changeable settings. This has implications for research management, design, funding and training.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council and Scottish Government, grant number ES/Moo3922/1.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brunner, Dr Richard
• Authors: Bennett, H., and Brunner, R.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: Qualitative Research
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 1468-7941
• ISSN (Online): 1741-3109
• Published Online: 30 October 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Qualitative Research 22(1): 74-92
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
190851		What Works Scotland	Nicholas Watson	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/M003922/1	S&PS - Institute of Health & Wellbeing (Social Sciences)