Researching emotionally sensitive subjects
Sometimes you바카라 사이트檒l need to run research sessions with vulnerable participants, exploring topics that are sensitive or difficult to talk about.
There are a few things you바카라 사이트檒l need to consider to protect you and your participants바카라 사이트� wellbeing.
Preparing for sessions
There are a few extra things to factor into your research planning if you바카라 사이트檙e dealing with emotionally sensitive subjects or working with vulnerable participants.
Learn about the subject matter you바카라 사이트檒l be discussing
It바카라 사이트檚 important that you바카라 사이트檙e not overwhelmed by the topics you바카라 사이트檙e researching, as this will make it harder for participants to feel comfortable talking openly. The best way to prevent this is to familiarise yourself with the subject matter ahead of the session.
You can do this through desk research, or by speaking to an expert or someone who바카라 사이트檚 done similar research before. Experts like charities and support networks might also be able to help you recruit participants.
Learning about the subject will help you decide whether you feel comfortable doing the research. If you react negatively to the subject matter, or have traumatic associations with it, it바카라 사이트檚 absolutely fine to say you do not feel the project is right for you.
Think about the whole research process
It바카라 사이트檚 worth remembering that the participant바카라 사이트檚 journey begins before they sit down and start talking to you. So you need to make a positive first impression.
This means considering things like the language you바카라 사이트檙e using in recruitment materials and your information sheets.
A team at the Home Office paid extra attention to this when working with users whose physical appearance made it difficult for them to use the passport service photo checker. The team made sure the materials asked questions in a sensitive way.
Make sure to check these things even if you바카라 사이트檙e using an external recruitment agency.
Make sure you바카라 사이트檙e not doing the research alone
It바카라 사이트檚 useful to take a colleague with you if you바카라 사이트檙e doing research on a sensitive topic. Firstly, they can take notes which allows you to concentrate on your conversation with the participant.
But it also means you바카라 사이트檝e got someone to travel to and from the research with. This gives you the chance to talk about anything you found difficult and means you바카라 사이트檙e not dealing with the emotional impact of the research on your own.
Leave more time between sessions than usual
On a standard project, you might do 3 or 4 full days of research in a row. If you바카라 사이트檙e working on something emotionally sensitive, this probably is not a good idea.
In these cases, it바카라 사이트檚 better to leave a day or so in between rounds of research - and do fewer sessions per day. This gives you time to reflect on what you바카라 사이트檝e heard and make sure you바카라 사이트檙e ready to tackle the next round.
Consider the location
It바카라 사이트檚 worth thinking about the location you choose for research. A standard research lab environment might not always be appropriate.
For example, a team at the Home Office chose to run sessions in a library room in their office, as they were concerned that their users would not feel comfortable talking in an environment that felt too formal.
Be prepared to cut the session short
Sometimes, you바카라 사이트檒l sense that your participant is finding the discussion difficult and that you need to end the session.
Make sure you바카라 사이트檝e thought of a gentle way to cut the session short, as ending abruptly could be upsetting if the participant has been talking about something very personal or difficult.
Building a rapport with participants
It can often be difficult for participants to discuss sensitive or personal issues. This means it바카라 사이트檚 extra important to build a rapport at the start of the session, so they feel comfortable enough to participate.
This might involve including some time at the beginning of the session for the participant to choose what to talk about, or being prepared to go off script if the conversation moves in a different direction.
You could also go through the consent form and clarify that you바카라 사이트檙e there to hear about their experiences.
Once you start the session, let the participant control the conversation as much as possible. A few ways of doing this include:
- regularly reminding them that they can stop any time
- framing your questions so it바카라 사이트檚 easy for them to indicate whether they want to answer - for example by starting them with 바카라 사이트淢ay I ask about바카라 사이트�바카라 사이트� or 바카라 사이트淒o you mind if I ask about바카라 사이트�바카라 사이트�
- making it clear they do not have to answer any question they do not want to
- offering them breaks during the session
It바카라 사이트檚 helpful if your questions are reasonably specific, as it바카라 사이트檚 easy to drift off topic when you바카라 사이트檙e discussing very personal things.
You should also think about what to say at the end of the session.
Helping people who need more support
It바카라 사이트檚 tempting to give advice or to try to help people out when you see they바카라 사이트檙e in distress or going through something difficult.
As a researcher you need to remain objective - your role is to understand, not advise. But it바카라 사이트檚 okay to direct the participant to places where they could get more information and support following the session.
A subject matter expert should be able to let you know where to point participants who need extra support.
Dealing with the emotional impact of the research
Listening to people바카라 사이트檚 traumatic experiences can be distressing, especially if you바카라 사이트檙e running several sessions on the same subject.
Make sure you take some time to relax after the sessions - it바카라 사이트檚 important to unwind and switch off from the work you바카라 사이트檙e doing.
You could also take part in:
- peer support sessions, in which you take the time to reflect on the research with someone else
- support services run by your department, like listening services
You should also acknowledge that, after a particularly difficult session, you might find it hard to concentrate on other work. That바카라 사이트檚 absolutely fine and a natural part of doing research like this. It might also be an indication that you should take some time to relax or talk to someone.
Tell us about your experiences
If you바카라 사이트檝e done user research of this nature, we바카라 사이트檇 love to hear how you did it. Get in touch with us.
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Guidance first published