Voice, Transparency, and Research

The first time I heard the word "research" was listening to an academic "researcher" present their findings on a study related to domestic violence. The presenter appeared impersonal, disconnected from the audience, used high-level academic jargons, and discussed the study participants as objects.

I was not only uncomfortable with how the researcher presented the findings a fear of research developed. I also wondered about those who participated in the research study. How were they treated? How were they perceived? How were they compensated for their time? And were their voices included in the process as experts?

The presenter spoke from an individualistic view which was troubling to me. However, I was excited about research and the power of it. I left the session more confused, fearful and demotivated. However, I sought out different researchers' presence to identify other research methods and demystify research.

With over eight (8) years of participating in or conducting research, I have developed a passion for research. Research has many layers to it, and its performed for various reasons in different settings. One of the many things I learned about research is that we are all researchers.

When an individual is considering purchasing a mobile device they identify the problem they want to solve in their own life by the use of a device, the challenge they are experiencing by the lack of a device, and then the person begins asking users of various brands and models of devices questions to gather information. The person may also engage in a series of online searches and visit stores that sell mobile devices to speak with experts. After gathering all the information, analysing the data, the person then makes a decision to purchase a particular device. The person may go a step further and share the information acquired and share their experience with using their new device. However, the individual may not identify this as research. But it is.

When an individual engages in active conversation to share knowledge, understand the approach someone is using to work in their community or identify what worked well during the implementation of a program, that person is doing research.

When an individual brings together groups of women and men to identify the assets in the community, their strengths as individuals and a collective, and co-create solutions, that person is conducting research.

There is also deep scientific research, like working towards a cure for cancer, HIV, or some other disease or infection. Research is a beautiful process and something that should be embraced and demystified.

When an individual understand their level and space of operation this knowledge will inform what type of research they embark on. Research is not conducted with a researcher by themselves its done in community with others. Participants are vital to research processes and its imperative that they are acknowledged.

Acknowledging participants voices means accepting their expertise, experiences, identities, diversity, and the value they bring into the process, spaces, and relationships.

Acknowledging also leads to honoring participants by providing authentic recognition and compensation, actively including them in the research process as a peer, and not simply seeing them as someone from which information can be mined. Honoring a person's voice is encouraging and respecting their choice regarding their participation.

Acknowledging voice is essential as it goes beyond simply recognizing the person's physical presence. It aids in building healthy relationships, establishing boundaries, and providing space for individuals to own their choices. Ultimately it enhances research as the process becomes participatory and inclusive.

Another aspect that stands out to me when thinking about research is transparency. The word transparency can mean different things to people; it can also be triggering to many. Transparency says to those in the room "I am going to be authentically and uniquely open with you about this process, about what I am doing, and how I am doing it."

Transparency is about responsibility, accountability, owning choices, and setting boundaries. I have learned to create an open research culture that includes this notion of transparency but also facilitate the environment for scrutiny and establishes safe and brave working relationships and environments versus using transparency to tick a box.

I believe it is crucial to move beyond using words to maintain traditional process in research and bring the explorative nature and depth of the word into spaces and relationships to create an open research culture that provides everyone with accurate, credible, and usable information in ways they can understand based on their intellectual diversity and level of participation in the research process. This does not mean doing away with ethical practices and guidelines that provide oversight and protect participants because there are many unscrupulous people in the world who engage in research.

This notion of an open research culture includes the foundational aspects of informing participants about the purpose of the research, why the data is being collected, how the findings will be used, where it will be shared, and why. But also going deeper to question why the researcher is embarking on the study. Identifying the mutual benefits and opportunities can be provided to participants to engage in disseminating the results and developing follow-up mechanisms to keep participants updated during the life of the study.

An open research culture considers the physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness of all research participants' including members of the research teams. It sets in place tailored support before, during, and after the research providing relevant, inclusive, active, and professional referral pathways for individuals if they experience any overwhelming moment.

Today I see research through different lenses and participate in and conduct research using mixed approaches, centering people and with one of my many values of "do no harm." Whether that research is searching the internet for articles about a specific topic, conversing with a colleague or professor, facilitating a focus group, or interviewing a key informant. Research is not something intangible; it is a dynamic process that provides beautiful moments of pause, information, and guidance. To tell stories, unpack what the data is saying, and co-create the societies we imagine.