![Page 1: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means for
Moving between Research Studies and Practical Support
A. S. CohenMiller, PhD
Presentation for TQR 8th Annual Conference
January 12, 2017
![Page 2: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Overview• This is a story about caring.
– Where I fit in– Where others fit
• Defining caring• Phase 1:
– Dissertation study– Emerging practical supports
• Phase 2: – Follow up study– Adjusted practical supports
• Resultant steps for moving from caring to practical supports
![Page 3: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What is caring? • Defining caring
– Wanting to help others– Doing kindness– Showing concern for others
• Caring for our participants
• Caring for ourselves? Can we care about ourselves within our research studies?
![Page 4: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Phase 1: Dissertation Study (2014)• Study of doctoral students
who became mothers for the first time– Trying to understand
experiences of doctoral student motherhood and mothering
– I wanted to help others, and myself
• Participants asked questions and sought advice – Answers and practical support
were desired
Drawing created by DocMama1 to demonstrate how she felt as a doctoral student mother: wonderful and “precarious”
![Page 5: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
One solution: Development of Practical Support Systems for Doctoral Student Mothers
• “Dissertating Mama’s”– Facebook group – Social support system for
mothers working on their dissertation
• The group became a resource & support for others and also for me
• Evolved over time as the student mothers transitioned– 2014-2015: Dissertation focus– 2015-ongoing: Academic career
![Page 6: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
First phase of caring leading to practical supports
![Page 7: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Phase 2: What happens after graduation for doctoral student mothers?
• From caring about myself (quietly) to openly being included
• 2016: follow up study with the original DocMama’s, and included my own participation
• How do doctoral student mothers experience the transition to their future careers?
![Page 8: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Findings suggested a need for practical supports for academic mothers
Integration of work and family
“This is my reality today. I am sitting on the floor, addressing dissertation revisions, while my eight year old occupies my bed/office.”
(Motherscholar 2)
Compartmentalization
“but right now all I feel is a flood of joy and happiness to have my little sidekick back with me. No thoughts of work in my mind for the next few days…” (Motherscholar 3)
![Page 9: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Caring for the collective experience
Multiple experiences
Suggested need for practical supports
![Page 10: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Adjusted practical support: The need to show that mothers in academia are a presence
• From a closed Facebook group
• New practical support, a public website
• The MotherscholarProject
• www.motherscholar.com
![Page 11: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Reflecting on caring: Including ourselves in the research process
• Typical formats:
– Participant observation, autoethnography, positionality statements, PAR, etc.
– [bracketing] our experiences
• A different means as well, as a means towards practical support
![Page 13: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
In summary
• Practical supports were a result of caring for others and myself;
• Caring before, during, after the research process
Caring about the
topic
Begin research project
Caring about
participants
Continue research
Development of practical
supports
![Page 14: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Future questions• How can qualitative researchers
effectively showcase caring as a technique within their studies?
• Where does caring start and end within a study?
• As with other emergent methods in qualitative research (e.g., arts-based research), what ways can we use to show the rigor of caring in our studies?
![Page 15: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Thank you!
A. S. CohenMiller
Assistant Professor
Nazarbayev University
Graduate School of Education
Astana, Kazakhstan
www.motherscholar.org
![Page 16: Caring as an Emergent Method in Qualitative Research: A Means … · 2017-05-31 · • Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically](https://reader036.vdocuments.mx/reader036/viewer/2022081222/5f7a8590de420b2809128a80/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Additional resources/references• Dissertating Mama’s community support Facebook group
• The Motherscholar Project, making mothers’ presence in academia visible.
• Chenail, R. (January 12, 2017). Plenary: When qualitative researchers care: Three notions. TQR Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
• CohenMiller, A. S. (2014b). The phenomenon of doctoral student motherhood/mothering in academia: Cultural construction, presentation of self, and situated learning. (PhD Dissertation), University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Full Text database.
• Hesse-Biber, S. & Leavy, Patricia (Eds.). (2006). Emergent methods in social research. London: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Matias, C. (2011). "Cheryl Matias, PhD and Mother of Twins": Counter storytelling to critically analyze how I navigated the academic application, negotiation, and relocation process. Division G - Social Context of Education / Section 2. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA.