title: The reflective dialogue and repertory grid: a research approach to identify the unique contribution of nursing, midwifery or health visiting to the therapeutic milieu.
abstract: This paper seeks to demonstrate the use of two research methods within the interpretive paradigm: the reflective dialogue and the repertory grid. At first sight, the use of these two methods might appear contradictory; however this paper seeks to demonstrate the complementary fashion in which both techniques elicit rich and contextualized data. Both methods use extended interviews to illuminate practitioners' perceptions about their unique contribution to the therapeutic milieu. The approach primarily seeks to identify how practitioners' perceptions alter in the light of contextual change and seeks to enable practitioners to identify their developmental needs to meet future challenges. Fundamental assumptions underpin the approach: reciprocity, the equality of researcher and participant, and that research can be an act of empowerment and education. These issues are explored throughout the paper which closes with an invitation to add to the debate about the evolution of such an approach.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Unit, Sussex and Kent Institute, England.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scholes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008880:Midwifery; D009729:Nursing; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods*