Researcher Vulnerability in Qualitative Research—A Conceptual Framework.

Background: Qualitative methods are often described in steps or techniques for data collection and analysis where the researcher should strive for objectivity. Vulnerability, how to safeguard the rights and welfare of vulnerable participants, and how to prevent the potential to exacerbate existing harm caused by the power and role asymmetries between researchers and participants and the emotional risk for respondents, have been well established. The idea of this study is to challenge the pursuit of objectivity in qualitative research and conversely examine the significance and strength of the researcher's vulnerability in qualitative research. Aim: The aim is to broaden the understanding of research vulnerability and its significance and strength in qualitative research by creating a conceptual framework. Methodology and Method: The study is grounded in a hermeneutical methodology, and guided introspection is used as the research method. In guided introspection, multiple voices are allowed to speak through reflexive reading between the researcher's understanding and other researchers' understandings. New understanding emerged by lingering reading, wondering, and reflecting on scientific articles covering a multidisciplinary perspective. Results: Researcher vulnerability appears as a movement where the researcher moves between theory development, separateness, understanding of self and betweenness, alleviation of suffering, appropriation of the other's otherness, and togetherness. The movement is maintained by compassion, empathy, good will, afflexivity, closeness and reflexivity. Conclusion: The conceptual framework is useful for understanding the possibilities and involvement of vulnerability in qualitative studies. The conceptual framework can be used when planning the methodological design and in building trusting ethical encounters with research participants, but also to provide higher quality and trustworthiness to the research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]