On ‘being researched’: why do people engage with qualitative research?

Abstract

While there has been some anecdotal discussion that hints at what motivates people to engage with qualitative research, little research has systematically explored the role of research engagement for those who choose to participate: Why do people engage with qualitative research? Using interview data collected from experienced researchers (n=13), this article seeks to systematically explore this issue by examining how researchers understand the mechanisms that motivate and facilitate research engagement. At an individual level, the supporting mechanisms identified include: subjective interest, enjoyment, curiosity, introspective interest, social comparison, therapeutic interest, material interest and economic interest. At a collective level, however, the mechanisms identified by researchers include: representation, political empowerment, and informing ‘change’. It is argued that a greater appreciation of these supporting mechanisms is likely to be crucial in examining how the research process is shaped by the motivations of those who engage, as well as helping to maintain current levels of research engagement through the development of more positive research relationships.