Characteristics of a Good Qualitative Researcher

1. Characteristics of a Good Qualitative Researcher Example of feedback from participants at various workshops

2. What makes a good qualitative social researcher? Group 1 • Puts entire body into it • Not biased or dogmatic • Good observer • Good concentration • Big ‘ears’, good listener, use probes • Communicates well, open-ended communication • Insightful • Well-informed and interested • Encouraging • With heart, ethical, simple, personable and amicable, humble, empathetic, compassion • Willing to join in as an equal • Able to make people feel comfortable • Writing, organisation, analytic skills • Willing to travel, be an explorer • Patient, willing to take time, serious effort http://manual.recoup.educ.cam.ac.uk

3. What makes a good qualitative social researcher? Group 2 • Deep understanding of subject • Empathise with issue or topic • Consistent self-reflection, zero bias • Participatory capacity • Good knowledge of research design • Good knowledge of culture, values and norms where research will take place • Willing to triangulate • Willing to use probing methods • Have a sound theoretical understanding of subject http://manual.recoup.educ.cam.ac.uk

4. What makes a good qualitative social researcher? Group 3 • Heart and brain should work together, use book • Good listener, • Make other person feel important • Curious, try and pick up subtleties • Inquisitive, ask probing questions at right time • Flexible in ways of research • Willing to be team player • Able to build rapport, verbally plus body language • Able to be someone known • Not argumentative, not insisting on debate • Non-judgemental in data collection and analysis • Aware of own biases, as unbiased as possible: list • Respect respondent and situation • Observant, brave, determined (but not in a foolish way) • Thoughtful, innovative, use other skills • Empathetic, willing to learn at all stages • Open-minded • Prepared mentally (from literature etc.) • Uses easy language http://manual.recoup.educ.cam.ac.uk

5. What makes a good qualitative social researcher? Group 4 • Good listener • People’s person • Communication skills • Sincere, integrity • Ethical • Commitment to the issue, involved • Sensitiveness towards community respondents • Inquisitive • Unbiased, maintaining objectivity, articulate, good writing skills • Diplomatic • Able to accept mistakes and learn, and revisit the issue http://manual.recoup.educ.cam.ac.uk