Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic
Background Research assistants (RAs) are vital for the successful completion of research. When data collection and recruitment are dis-rupted, like during the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions, the effects on RAs attempting to conduct re-search are unclear. Participants and procedure...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Termedia Publishing House
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Health Psychology Report |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hpr.termedia.pl/Researching-researchers-exploring-the-challenges-of-conducting-research-during-a,187336,0,2.html |
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| _version_ | 1832584702443126784 |
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| author | Onyinyechi Onuoha Diane Lorenzetti Jacqueline Pearson Bernice Lee Tanya Beran |
| author_facet | Onyinyechi Onuoha Diane Lorenzetti Jacqueline Pearson Bernice Lee Tanya Beran |
| author_sort | Onyinyechi Onuoha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background
Research assistants (RAs) are vital for the successful completion of research. When data collection and recruitment are dis-rupted, like during the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions, the effects on RAs attempting to conduct re-search are unclear.
Participants and procedure
This study explored RAs’ perspectives of conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five RAs who had begun collecting data at a mid-western children’s hospital on how a robot named MEDi® could help patients uphold health and safety procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic participated in semi-structured interviews.
Results
Thematic analysis of the interview data identified four key themes (and sub-themes) that reflected RAs’ experiences of con-ducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic: inspiration and motivation; research barriers; human connections and relationships; and creativity and problem-solving. The first theme focused on the sources of RAs’ inspiration and motivation to participate in research; the second focused on the barriers that affected data collection and recruitment. The third theme described the impact that human connections and relationships had on the success of the research, and the final theme explored the RAs’ creativity and problem-solving approaches, which aided in navigating the challenges faced during the pandemic. The RAs overcame the challenges with positive attitudes, creativity, and collaboration.
Conclusions
Overall, the results reveal how the RAs explored creative strategies to adapt research methods to suit unanticipated circum-stances and develop interpersonal skills to facilitate participation in future research and career activities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0dfc812b9c2342bba73ebba11dc4fb45 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2353-4184 2353-5571 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Termedia Publishing House |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Psychology Report |
| spelling | doaj-art-0dfc812b9c2342bba73ebba11dc4fb452025-01-27T11:33:24ZengTermedia Publishing HouseHealth Psychology Report2353-41842353-55712024-06-0112427528510.5114/hpr/187336187336Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemicOnyinyechi Onuoha0Diane Lorenzetti1Jacqueline Pearson2Bernice Lee3Tanya Beran4University of Calgary, Calgary, CanadaUniversity of Calgary, Calgary, CanadaAlberta Health Service, Edmonton, CanadaUniversity of Alberta, Edmonton, CanadaUniversity of Calgary, Calgary, CanadaBackground Research assistants (RAs) are vital for the successful completion of research. When data collection and recruitment are dis-rupted, like during the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying restrictions, the effects on RAs attempting to conduct re-search are unclear. Participants and procedure This study explored RAs’ perspectives of conducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five RAs who had begun collecting data at a mid-western children’s hospital on how a robot named MEDi® could help patients uphold health and safety procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic participated in semi-structured interviews. Results Thematic analysis of the interview data identified four key themes (and sub-themes) that reflected RAs’ experiences of con-ducting research during the COVID-19 pandemic: inspiration and motivation; research barriers; human connections and relationships; and creativity and problem-solving. The first theme focused on the sources of RAs’ inspiration and motivation to participate in research; the second focused on the barriers that affected data collection and recruitment. The third theme described the impact that human connections and relationships had on the success of the research, and the final theme explored the RAs’ creativity and problem-solving approaches, which aided in navigating the challenges faced during the pandemic. The RAs overcame the challenges with positive attitudes, creativity, and collaboration. Conclusions Overall, the results reveal how the RAs explored creative strategies to adapt research methods to suit unanticipated circum-stances and develop interpersonal skills to facilitate participation in future research and career activities.https://hpr.termedia.pl/Researching-researchers-exploring-the-challenges-of-conducting-research-during-a,187336,0,2.htmlresearch assistantscovid-19 pandemicphenomenologythematic analysisqualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Onyinyechi Onuoha Diane Lorenzetti Jacqueline Pearson Bernice Lee Tanya Beran Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic Health Psychology Report research assistants covid-19 pandemic phenomenology thematic analysis qualitative research |
| title | Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| title_full | Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| title_short | Researching researchers: exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| title_sort | researching researchers exploring the challenges of conducting research during a pandemic |
| topic | research assistants covid-19 pandemic phenomenology thematic analysis qualitative research |
| url | https://hpr.termedia.pl/Researching-researchers-exploring-the-challenges-of-conducting-research-during-a,187336,0,2.html |
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