Organization members decide to participate in research in reaction to a researcher's approach, on the basis of their conscious and unconscious assumptions about him. This article draws from the author's work to look at how people react to a researcher's request to study them A psychoanalytic perspective focuses on how members unconsciously engage in transference toward the researcher in deciding whether to participate. Many who make negative assumptions about him are involved in conflict, and they identify him with organizational authority that will punish disloyally. Many who make positive assumptions about the researcher believe that what they do is of potential value and identify him with themselves or someone who will care about and appreciate them.
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