The Voice Centred Relational VCR Method Methodological Innovation or the Emperor s New Clothes Reflections of the Use

1. The Voice Centred Relational (VCR) Method � Methodological Innovation or the Emperor�s New Clothes? Reflections of the Use of VCR in Doctoral Research JSWEC 2009 John Hyder-Wilson & Jo Finch johnjane.hyderwilson@sky.com j.l.finch@sussex.ac.uk

2. Contents of Presentation Introduction to Presenters What is VCR? Some examples of how we have used it Social Work Research and VCR Our response to using VCR Concluding Comments Questions? References

3. Introduction to Presenters John Hyder-Wilson University of Sussex, DPhil student �What is the experience of establishing an independent consultancy in the social care field� Former C&F Social Worker and Manager Independent consultant External Examiner � Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Practice Education Jo Finch University of Sussex, DSW Student �Can�t Fail, Won�t Fail� � Why Practice Assessors Find it Difficult to Fail Social Work Students.� Former C&F Social Worker & Play Therapist Curriculum Manager � Havering College & Associate Lecturer � Sussex University Practice Assessor John Hyder-Wilson is currently studying for a DPhil at the University of Sussex. He plans to submit in July 2010. His work is a heuristic study of setting up an independent consultancy in the social care field. He formerly worked for LB Croydon and West Sussex Social Services. His current role is as an independent consultant Jo Finch is in the process of submitting her Doctorate in Social Work which focuses on Why Practice Assessors appear to find it so difficult to fail social work students in practice learning settings. She is a former Children and Family Social worker, working in a variety of voluntary and statutory settings in London. She has also worked as a play therapist. Jo Finch is now currently employed as a Curriculum Manager at Havering College of Further and Higher Education, on the BA (Hons) in Social Work and the Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Practice Education. Jo Finch also works as an associate lecturer at the University of Sussex, working on the BA and MA in Social Work and on various practice education modules. Jo also works as a freelance practice assessor and mentor although has been taking a break from this lately. John and Jo have the same doctoral supervisors, Prof Imogen Taylor and Prof Suzy Braye. John Hyder-Wilson is currently studying for a DPhil at the University of Sussex. He plans to submit in July 2010. His work is a heuristic study of setting up an independent consultancy in the social care field. He formerly worked for LB Croydon and West Sussex Social Services. His current role is as an independent consultant Jo Finch is in the process of submitting her Doctorate in Social Work which focuses on Why Practice Assessors appear to find it so difficult to fail social work students in practice learning settings. She is a former Children and Family Social worker, working in a variety of voluntary and statutory settings in London. She has also worked as a play therapist. Jo Finch is now currently employed as a Curriculum Manager at Havering College of Further and Higher Education, on the BA (Hons) in Social Work and the Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Practice Education. Jo Finch also works as an associate lecturer at the University of Sussex, working on the BA and MA in Social Work and on various practice education modules. Jo also works as a freelance practice assessor and mentor although has been taking a break from this lately. John and Jo have the same doctoral supervisors, Prof Imogen Taylor and Prof Suzy Braye.

4. Introduction to Presenters John Hyder-Wilson University of Sussex, DPhil student �What is the experience of establishing an independent consultancy in the social care field� Former C&F Social Worker and Manager Independent consultant External Examiner � Post Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Practice Education Jo Finch University of Sussex, DSW Student �Can�t Fail, Won�t Fail� � Why Practice Assessors Find it Difficult to Fail Social Work Students.� Former C&F Social Worker & Play Therapist Curriculum Manager � Havering College & Associate Lecturer � Sussex University Practice Assessor

5. What is the VCR Method? A qualitative method of data analysis Method largely associated with Gilligan (1982), Gilligan et al (2003) and Mauthner and Doucet (1998). Method associated with psychology tradition. Method used in international contexts � USA (Cruz, 2003), Canada (Balan, 2005, MacEwan, 2006) Australia (Levtak, 2003, Paliadelis, 2005, Smith, 2005) and UK (Bryne, et al, 2004, Fairtlough, 2007) Method used in range of multidisciplinary contexts, i..e nursing, education, social care, sport.

6. What is the VCR Method? A qualitative method of data analysis Method largely associated with Gilligan (1982), Gilligan et al (2003) and Mauthner and Doucet (1998). Method associated with psychology tradition. Method used in international contexts � USA (Cruz, 2003), Canada (Balan, 2005, MacEwan, 2006) Australia (Levtak, 2003, Paliadelis, 2005, Smith, 2005) and UK (Bryne, et al, 2004, Fairtlough, 2007) Method used in range of multidisciplinary contexts, i..e nursing, education, social care, sport.

7. So What is VCR? 4 Distinct Readings of the Text

13. Social Work Research and VCR We have argued in our theses that: VCR and social work research seems a good �match�. Method associated with a feminist standpoint. Recognises centrality of relationships. Relies on �listening� � voice of participants overrides that of researcher and allows people to tell their story. Takes for granted a social constructivist epistemological position

14. Social Work Research and VCR We have argued in our theses that: VCR and social work research seems a good �match�. Method associated with a feminist standpoint. Recognises centrality of relationships. Relies on �listening� � voice of participants overrides that of researcher and allows people to tell their story. Takes for granted a social constructivist epistemological position

15. On the other hand we�. Liked using the method Allowed us to immerse ourselves in the data� �and let the data �speak to us� Theoretical frameworks emerged from the different readings Really �listened�

16. On the other hand we�. Liked using the method Allowed us to immerse ourselves in the data� �and let the data �speak to us� Theoretical frameworks emerged from the different readings Really �listened�

17. On the other hand we�. Liked using the method Allowed us to immerse ourselves in the data� �and let the data �speak to us� Theoretical frameworks emerged from the different readings Really �listened�

18. Concluding Comments We both enjoyed using the model, although Jo and John have used it in very different ways. Appears to have some advantages and resonance with social work But both left with some unanswered questions

19. Any Questions? Or Answers?

20. References Balan, N.B. (2005) Multiple Voices and Methods: Listening to Women who Are in Workplace Transition, International Journal of Qualitative Methods 4 (4) Bryne, A., Canavan, J. & Millar, M. (2004) Developing Inclusive Research methodologies � Testing the Voice Centred Relational Method of Qualitative Data Analysis in a Collaborative Research project on Early School Leaving, Galway, University of Galway. Cruz, C. (2003) Mixing Theories: Interpreting and Using a Relational, Voice Centred Methodology, Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago Fairtlough, A. (2007) Adapting the Voice-Centred relational method of Data Analysis: Reading Trainees Accounts of their Learning on a Pilot Programme for Practitioners working with Parents, Learning in Health and Social Care, 6 (1), pp2-13 Gilligan, C. (1982) In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women�s Development, Cambridge, Harvard University Press Gilligan, C., Soencer, R., Weinberg, M.K & Bertsch, T. (2003) On The Listening Guide: A Voice-Centred Relational method IN Camic, P., Rhodes, J.E. & Yardley, L. (Eds) Qualitative Research in Psychology: Expanding Perspectives in Methodology and Design, Washington D.C, American Psychological Society. Levtak, S. (2003) The Experience of Being an Older Staff Nurse, Western Journal of Nursing Research, 25 (1) pp.45-56

21. References Macewan, L. (2006) Compassion Fatigue: Addiction Workers� Experiences of Listening to Stories of Violence, PHD Thesis, Falmer University of Sussex Mauthner, M. & Doucet, A. (1998) Reflections on a Voice Centred Relational Method IN Ribbens, J. & Edwards, R. (Eds) Feminist Dilemmas in Qualitative Research, London, Sage Paliadelis, P.S (2005) Rural Nursing Unit Managers: Education an Support for Their Roles, Rural and Remote Health, 5, pp.325-332 Smith, S. (2005) Perspectives of Volunteer Practitioners in a Community of Practice: Analysis of Interview Transcripts and Preliminary Findings, Sydney, University of Technology, www.gare.edu.ay/05pap/smi05034.pdf (accessed 15/1/08)