Abstract:

Introduction:
“Polly said I need to think about my role as researcher, not pastoral tutor, so the researcher in me should be seeking out the truth, exposing the truth”

Ellie’s PhD research is a narrative exploration of the personal values of Gen Z students. Using narrative inquiry involved gathering stories and required reflexivity as a researcher. This is important as narrative research is subjective. One of the reflexive approaches used is presented in this paper – the Peer Debriefer (PD). A walk in the park with Polly is an evaluation of the peer debriefing process. This paper highlights the lived experiences of a researcher and the role of a colleague who is providing the role of PD. The presentation will explore the process and provide an opportunity to hear the voices of the researcher and PD from transcripts during the process.

Objectives:
- to understand the role of the peer debriefer
- to be able to share the experience of researcher and peer debriefer through examples from the process
- to know the benefits of working with a peer debriefer as a reflexive researcher

Methodology:
As PD the intention is to question and pose a critical discourse without an invested interest in the data. Schwandt, Lincoln and Guba (2007, p. 19) explain that ‘peer debriefing is exposing oneself to a disinterested professional peer to “keep the inquirer honest”, assist in developing working hypotheses, develop and test the emerging design, and obtain emotional catharsis’.

The majority of the peer debriefing process took place during COVID-19 restrictions, with Ellie and Polly taking socially distanced walks in parks and sitting on benches while trying to stay warm. Conversations during the PD meetings were recorded, enabling a reflective stance in examining the process and evaluating its approach. Challenging questions were asked and data transcripts shared. The analysed data was also shared and discussed.

Results:
During Ellie’s PhD journey, the ability to consider bias and gain support, particularly during the lonely lockdown period, was impactful. As a reflexive tool the use of a PD was highly effective and enabled the final restoried narratives to be honest, authentic and enlightening. Many examples of the
process will be shared in the paper, which will provoke curiosity in the audience.

Conclusion:
This paper seeks to share the process and invites the audience to consider their own research journeys and the potential benefits of using a PD. It hopes to inspire others to use the approach in their own reflexive research practice.

References:
[1] Schwandt, T.A., Lincoln, Y.S. and Guba, E.G. (2007) ‘Judging interpretations: But is it rigorous? trustworthiness and authenticity in naturalistic evaluation’, New Directions for Evaluation, 114, pp. 11–25. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.

Ethical approval for this research was approved by the University of Worcester (REP CODE: CAHE20210003-R).

Keywords:

Peer Debriefer, reflexive research , narrative exploration of the personal values.