Summary
The speaker, a lead researcher working with an internal IT group, recounts an unexpected experience during a field visit with a support employee named Laura. They aimed to gather feedback about an internal software tool, but their first scheduled meeting with an employee named Carol took a surprising turn. Carol, who had previously provided critical feedback, presented herself with a cardboard cutout named 'flat Carol,' leading to an unplanned conversation that shifted their focus from the software to understanding Carol's unique work environment. The speaker decided to embrace the unexpected instead of sticking rigidly to the original plan. This open dialogue not only empowered Carol to share her experiences but also enriched Laura's learning process, highlighting that flexibility and being present in the moment are crucial in research. By the end, both the researcher and Laura recognized the value of adapting to unforeseen situations, showcasing the essence of effective research practice.
Key Insights
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Fieldwork often leads to unexpected surprises that require quick thinking and adaptability.
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Building rapport is essential in gathering accurate and useful feedback from participants.
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Sometimes, the most valuable insights come from unplanned conversations.
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Mentoring in research involves teaching how to respond to surprises and adapt in real-time.
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Research is not just about data but also about understanding the people behind the data.
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Engaging participants in a way that prioritizes their stories can lead to richer insights.
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Flexibility in research methods can yield more meaningful results than rigid adherence to plans.
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A supportive and open environment encourages participants to express themselves more freely.
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Transcending the original research goals can lead to new and unexpected pathways of understanding.
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Research success often lies in the ability to learn from interactions rather than just following predefined questions.
Notable Quotes
"I know who you are and I have opinions"
"Do I find a way to make this conversation more about the software or do I show Laura how to react to the unplanned?"
"I had to live up to those words in a way that surely exceeded what either of us had in mind"
"I don't think I could ever recover the way that you did"
"That's what research is about."
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