Research synthesis in times of crisis: setting the agenda for mixed method, collaborative research on poverty in a post-pandemic world

Kayleigh Garthwaite*, Ruth Patrick, Maddy Power, Rosalie Warnock

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

COVID-19 immediately and radically necessitated changes in the way we worked as social researchers; not only in terms of fieldwork, but also in terms of collaboration. In this paper, we outline the rationale, processes, and potential of a collective of 14 research teams both inside and outside of academia working together across the UK to synthesise findings on the experiences of over 4,000 families parents and carers living on a low-income during the pandemic. Drawing on an approach based on meta-ethnography, our collective body of work comprises novel evidence and insights generated with a major cohort of families living on a low-income, through which we examine the impacts of the pandemic, and implications for social policy. This paper focuses on the practical, ethical, and methodological learnings and reflections on the processes of research synthesis in the pandemic context, and beyond. We set out the underpinning principles that guided our collaborative efforts before we explore the possibilities and challenges of working together to produce coherent, timely, and relevant findings that were shared with policy makers and those in power. Finally, we emphasise the significant potential of working collaboratively, and stress the importance of continuing to do so in a post-pandemic context.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages15
JournalInternational Journal of Social Research Methodology
Early online date18 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 18 Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank all members of the ‘COVID-19 and families on a low income: Researching together’ collective for their time, patience, collaboration, and solidarity during this project. Thanks also to all of the families involved in our respective studies for continuing to share their experiences during the incredibly difficult time of the pandemic. Additional thanks to Emma Davidson and Ros Edwards who gave up their time to provide invaluable expert methodological insights as part of a special advisory group. The Covid Realities research programme was funded by the Nuffield Foundation. The Foundation has funded this project, but the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily the Foundation. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • Research synthesis
  • collaboration
  • covid-19
  • ethics
  • meta-ethnography
  • poverty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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