Navigating the Tightrope: A Joint Autoethnography on Challenges and Strategies in Participant Recruitment for Educational Research

Abstract

Educational research relies on rigorous methodological approaches to generate valid and reliable knowledge. However, despite researchers’ best efforts, sometimes various challenges may arise during participant recruitment. Identifying, selecting, and securing participants’ informed consent is often difficult, and if not managed carefully, such challenges can compromise the integrity of the research. This study explores the complexities of recruiting participants for educational research by examining both the challenges encountered and the strategies employed to address them. Employing a joint autoethnography within a qualitative approach, we gathered data through a collective self-interview and analysed them thematically. The findings revealed four overarching themes: (1) participant dynamics, (2) contextual influences, (3) cultural challenges faced by researchers, and (4) the role of incentives. By offering a transparent account of the recruitment process, this study underscores the importance of developing thoughtful and context-sensitive strategies to overcome recruitment barriers. These insights aim to enhance the quality, ethical rigour, and overall effectiveness of educational research, while also encouraging further inquiry into participant recruitment across diverse settings.

Keywords

• participants’ recruitment
• autoethnography
• self-interview
• educational research

İnce Bir İp Üzerinde Yürümek: Eğitim Araştırmalarında Katılımcı Bulma Sürecindeki Zorluklar ve Stratejiler Üzerine Ortak Bir Otoetnografi

Abstract

Eğitim araştırmaları, geçerli ve güvenilir bilgi üretmek için titiz metodolojik yaklaşımlara dayanır. Ancak araştırmacıların tüm çabalarına rağmen, katılımcıların araştırmaya dahil edilmesi sürecinde zaman zaman çeşitli güçlükler ortaya çıkabilmektedir. Katılımcıların belirlenmesi, seçilmesi ve bilgilendirilmiş onamlarının alınması çoğu zaman zor bir süreçtir ve bu süreç dikkatli yönetilmediğinde araştırmanın bütünlüğünü zedeleyebilir. Bu çalışma, eğitim araştırmalarında katılımcı temini sürecinin karmaşıklığını inceleyerek karşılaşılan güçlükleri ve bu güçlükleri aşmak için kullanılan stratejileri ele almaktadır. Nitel bir yaklaşım çerçevesinde ortak otoetnografi yöntemi kullanılarak yürütülen çalışmada, veriler araştırmacıların birlikte gerçekleştirdiği öz görüşme yoluyla toplanmış ve tematik analiz ile incelenmiştir. Bulgular dört ana temayı ortaya koymuştur: (1) katılımcı dinamikleri, (2) bağlamsal etkiler, (3) araştırmacıların karşılaştığı kültürel zorluklar ve (4) teşviklerin rolü. Katılımcı temini sürecine ilişkin şeffaf bir anlatım sunan bu çalışma, katılımcı bulma sürecindeki engelleri aşmak için bağlama duyarlı ve düşünülmüş stratejiler geliştirilmesinin önemini vurgulamaktadır. Bu bulguların, eğitim araştırmalarının niteliğini, etik titizliğini ve genel etkililiğini artırmaya katkı sağlaması ve farklı bağlamlarda katılımcı temini üzerine yeni araştırmaları teşvik etmesi amaçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• otoetnografi
• öz görüşme
• eğitim araştırmaları
• gönüllü katılımcı

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