Doctoral research amidst the covid-19 pandemic: researcher reflections on practice, relationships, and unexpected intimacy

Campbell, L. (2021) Doctoral research amidst the covid-19 pandemic: researcher reflections on practice, relationships, and unexpected intimacy. Qualitative Social Work, 20(1-2), pp. 570-578. (doi: 10.1177/1473325020981090)

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Abstract

Responding to the Special Issue call by the Qualitative Social Work: Research and Practice Journal, this article reflects on the challenges faced by a Social Work doctoral student at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) during the Covid-19 outbreak. Having already commenced their fieldwork through a series of Freirean-style dialogical interviews via Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (B.I.N.M.), the nationwide-lockdown demanded a drastic deviation from the intended in-person face-to-face interviews with lone parent participants. Significant academic consideration had already been given to the researcher’s existing academic, professional, and social relationships to north and northwest Edinburgh - the geographical focus within the study - via a process of reflexivity prior to commencing the interviews, yet the shift from discussions in neutral venues (e.g. community centres and public cafes) to dialogues conducted exclusively via digital platforms brought about a radical shift in interpersonal dynamics as both researcher and participant were exposed to each other’s homes, families, and other aspects of domestic life. The change in circumstances bore major implications not only for participant recruitment, but also created an unexpected intimacy within the interviewer-interviewee relationships.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Di Marco Campbell, Mr Luke Ray
Authors: Campbell, L.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Creativity Culture and Faith
Journal Name:Qualitative Social Work
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:1473-3250
ISSN (Online):1741-3117
Published Online:04 March 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Author
First Published:First published in Qualitative Social Work 20(1-2):570-578
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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