While the panel on power inequity in research presented many ideas to consider, I was particularly drawn to think further about the risks of failing to be reflective about our own positions as researchers. As having the ability and resources to conduct a research project suggests a certain level of privilege, it is apparent that it is vital to remain self-aware of our own positions and biases when interacting with the people providing us with information about our research topic. In order to conduct research effectively and produce an accurate and honest outcome we must recognise that when sharing personal experiences and knowledge, research participants are providing us with the lifeblood of our research. Without them we lack the capacity to come to well synthesised conclusions, if any conclusions at all. In recognising this we avoid developing relationships that see research participants as a lesser ‘other’ and encourage more insightful relationships within the research field.
Another aspect that I felt was crucial to aiding us in building effective research skills was the emphasis made on learning to accept resistance and refrain from seeking out particular narratives. This point was built on by the research process set out by Patrick Thomsen. Patrick emphasised that value of identifying gaps in research before forming a directed question. In educating ourselves about our topics prior to forming concrete questions, we should be able to employ a willingness to accept when narratives are not forming the way we anticipated and allow research developments to occur without the influence of preconceived ideas about the research outcome.
