Getting the most out of relationships with research participants

Date:

12/04/2021

Organised by:

University of Essex

Presenter:

Katerina Hadjimatheou, Lecturer in Criminology. Kat has extensive experience of undertaking qualitative research, including in-depth interviews; workshops; world café sessions; focus groups; surveys; and freedom of information requests.

Level:

Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)

Contact:

Proficio@essex.ac.uk

video conference logo

Venue: Online

Description:

Many students undertake research with human participants, but very few have much experience in recruiting and managing relationships with them.The process of recruitment and participation can be daunting and stressful. There are many simple strategies students can use to recruit more successfully, get the most value out of the data participants provide, and draw on those relationships in the future to maximise the impact of their research and their opportunities going forward. Good relationships with participants are vital to the success of qualitative research and can also help students network for their future careers. They can help open important pathways to impact. 

This short course will help you think about and plan for how to get the most out of these relationships. The session will provide tips and examples of good (and less good) practice on managing research relationships. It will provide you with practical guidance about how to make a plan for engaging with research participants. You will also have an opportunity to put together your own plan towards and get feedback on your own strategy for:

  • choosing the right research participants;
  • successful routes to recruitment
  • engaging successfully with them to increase the value of the data they provide;
  • managing your relationship with them after the research is complete to create pathways to impact for your research; further your career; and/or develop further research in the future

You should expect to come out of this session with a more strategic and successful approach to engaging with research participants, which will improve the quality and impact of your research and increase future career opportunities.

The session will draw on the lecturer’s extensive experience of conducting high-impact qualitative research. It will also introduce you to resources that can help you answer questions and address issues that might arise before, during and after your research.

This course is suitable for students who are doing or thinking of doing qualitative research, including interviews, focus groups, Delphi, and Freedom of Information requests. Delegates do not need access to university facilities.

All relevant resources will be shared by email in advance of the course. Delegates will be asked to complete a very short survey prior to the course and come with their responses.

Cost:

£30 - All external participants

Website and registration:

Region:

East of England

Keywords:

Data Collection, Qualitative Interviewing

Related publications and presentations:

Data Collection
Qualitative Interviewing

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