Evidence Library

Abstract:

This paper tells the story of the involvement of a community worker from the Safe in the City Project in Manchester in a research project that aimed to:

• find out about the situation of 'detached' under 16 year olds
• identify the appropriate responses and services to meet the requirements of this group
• explore the feasibility of potential projects.

At first the community worker saw his role simply to be opening doors for the researchers. He viewed them as the 'experts' in conducting research. As the project progressed, he realised that he had a lot more to offer to the project in terms of how best to work with this group of young people, conduct better quality interviews, gain the young people's trust, and manage complex, ethical issues like confidentiality. However, he felt his opinions were sometimes ignored, raising concerns about his involvement in the project and the moral obligations of his role. 

The authors state they would like researchers to better recognise and appreciate the knowledge, values and emotions brought by community workers into research.

Related entry: none currently available

Categories: health
public health
social care
Undertaking research
impact on research
impact on service users involved
impact of public involvement
reflecting on public involvement in research
journal article
Recruitment

Date Entered: 2009/01/28

Date Edited: 2012/11/20