Benefits and challenges of engaging Majority World children in interdisciplinary, multi-qualitative-method, mental health research

• Published in: International journal of social research methodology Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 219 - 233
• Main Authors: O'Reilly, Michelle, Haffejee, Sadiyya, Eruyar, Seyda, Sykes, Grace, Vostanis, Panos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 03.03.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Children; Community research; Health research; Interdisciplinary aspects; Interdisciplinary research; intra-paradigmatic; majority world; Mental health; Qualitative methods; Qualitative research; Rigour; Sociocultural factors; vulnerability
• ISSN: 1364-5579; 1464-5300
• DOI: 10.1080/13645579.2022.2153977

The qualitative community embraces transparent dialogue through sharing knowledge to improve rigour and develop new initiatives. In this paper, we recognise there are many complexities within qualitative research, leading to important debates. We explore the benefits and challenges, as well as the practicalities and technicalities, of conducting research that 1) employs multiple methods within the qualitative paradigm, 2) is interdisciplinary, and 3) examines a sensitive research topic 4) with a vulnerable group of participants. Specifically, when research is also 5) cross-cultural and 6) utilises participatory techniques. Through our discussion, we draw upon an existing project and examine the complexity of designing and completing intra-paradigmatic mixed methods research with children from different sociocultural contexts, underpinned by interdisciplinary perspectives, in a complex area like mental health.