599 thoughts on “The Value of Qualitative Research – Understanding and Expression”

1. Jennifer, what you have shared in this article is of great value. Where and why did we become so lost in statistics, that one research is superior than another.

   During my health care profession, I had difficulty understanding quantitative research when my whole body resonated with qualitative research. Knowing what other people were thinking or feeling for me bought value and understanding as to where they were at. Agree statistics is needed, for example, the number of people suffering heart disease, or obesity, etc. but where is the vital data about what is going on for them? What led them to be part of this statistic is of importance? And when we begin to tap into this, then we can truly be on the healing path to self care and nurturing of ourselves.

2. When I take part in a survey I often wonder how useful my answers would really be. I read a question and answer either yes/no or choose a closest one from the options given etc., and I often felt like my answers would need further explanation. Collecting and analyzing such data must be a big, complex job, I can only imagine.

3. We could ask is the outcome the important part of the research or is the how we go about all the details within the research? So knowing in this case that people were going to be interviewed to share their experience, essentially encouraging and supporting another’s expression, could this as important as the outcome? Maybe we could do research on the value of the interview process in research??

   1. Jennifer, you’ve raised an interesting question, ‘how we go about all the details within the research?’. I was once a research assistant and as much as it was interesting on the one hand, I was bored out of my brain in the other. Trolling though articles to support the end research project, that led to a new policy was not the most riveting experience, but looked great on my CV. It kind of felt, I needed to find the articles that supported the end result. And did we get to the core issue in the end? in my opinion, no.

      We need to research people. We need to know what is going on for them. If we had a cohort of people experiencing the same diagnosis or disease, wouldn’t we want to know what led them to this condition in the first place, or shall we offer pills and potions to keep them ticking?

      I’m conduct research and it is the research I perform on myself on a daily basis. How I live, how I feel, what led to this or that, what was I thinking, what was I eating, drinking, what thoughts or emotions was I putting into my body. There is so much to ponder over research, it starts with our own research in the way we live.

4. For me “‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, is what researchers in any field ought to be grabbing with both hands and working with, as this world is about people, people who are looking for so many answers to so many problems. To ignore the lived experiences of others is like pretending the sun isn’t shining when covered by a cloud.

5. Qualitative research is all about recording the importance of quality in our lives

6. Science and research should never be an authority dictating to human beings, it should always be for humans beings and for the greater benefit of the all. I feel encompassing all forms of research is more beneficial.

7. ‘Basically everything came down to listening to what my body was communicating’. Awesome that we live in something that can communicate to us everything that is going on – we just need to learn how to listen… be still enough inside to feel what is being conveyed.

8. “Through being heard and understood I could deeply value my own expression”. This demonstrates how important it is for us to be there for each other – and how we can support our growth and evolution.

9. I really get the sense of collaboration and cross-pollination when reading your blog today, that is such a beautiful part of research and how it has the potential to support humanity through discussions and deeper understandings of life.

10. “Who would have thought that being a research subject could be such fun!” Being open and sharing all that you are is a beautiful gift for all.

    1. Yes research often has a reputation for being heavy, heady and complicated but it does not have to be – it can be light and fun whilst dealing with the subject at hand.

11. Let’s face it, a lot of research is closed and already with a particular agenda, only when there is a real sense of genuineness and care in exploring a topic can one truly learn and evolve.

    1. Yes, depending on who funds the research and if they cherry pick the answers

12. There is definitely a real art and science to listening to others in a way that is open and holding and allowing them to express fully everything they are and everything they want to share with the world.

13. I am truly beginning to appreciate that we each have a different expression and it is through that diversity that we learn more about ourselves and others.

14. I really like your suggestion about approaching research from the healing opportunity. Perhaps we have been too busy getting objective in our pursuit of a homogenized answer, rather than allowing the whole truth to speak for itself.

15. It does make me ponder on the research that has been carried out and claimed that has been made for self gain. Regardless of where the research comes from it is our responsibility to discern within ourselves whether the information stated is true for us or not.

16. We shy away from truly connecting to each other and to our stories and we miss so much in that as we can get a great context in what people offer in how they are and how they live. And yes bias is important but if we are honest and transparent with any bias which arises and not in defense or expectation on any results but truly open we provide a platform for qualitative research alongside any quantitative research we do.

17. It really stands out here the integrity of the interviewer, who seems to have been genuinely interested in what you had to say, someone who values personal expression and experience and these can contribute to the whole industry of nursing.

18. I reckon it is super important to do research or investigation into what is happening in the world and the reality of how things really are at a grass roots level for people.

19. The influence of financially invested organisations and companies in research has lowered our level of trust in the research we currently have because some researchers have manipulated the results to influence and market to a less aware general public.

20. This blog raises an important question about what is bias really? Is it just looking at the study design and mechanics and trying to eliminate any variation or subjectivity? Or could bias be more about what is the intention behind the research? Have we considered this enough? If we measured current research today by this definition of bias how many studies could claim to not be unbiased? Bias for me comes in the moment we are making research about self gain in some way shape or form rather than from the intention to simply observe and learn.

    1. Absolutely! Looking at what the intention behind all research is is a major focus behind any research that is undertaken therefore the researcher can be under no illusion of what their part in the bias or not is. The influence of financially invested parties – i.e you are not free to research fully because you need the financial backing – cannot be underestimated but erodes the trust in research which is so wrong.

21. I love how you bring research back to connection. We have made so many things in life abstract and not relatable that we often do not understand why we are doing things or why they need to be done, we do them but without any reference to why. And research brings us understanding where we are at as a society but only if we make it about the people and for people, otherwise it becomes not only abstract but also is not serving us anymore.

22. Pingback: The Value of our Expression in Research – Medicine and Serge Benhayon

23. Research can be so rich when it is about a true and honest conversation with someone – like what is shared here. We start to see that how we live and express is in fact research and living evidence reflected to others.

24. All of life is based on results and outcomes; it totally ignores the key ingredient, our being. Currently there is no significant way to read this on the temporal level but when you connect to this quality and vibration and live life from here, you know what is your truth and what is not. Nothing on the outside can dictate what is right or true for you.

25. The lesson here being that we have come to value ‘that which can be measured’ (quantitative research) over the measureless depth of what can be achieved through human connection alone (qualitative research).

26. The more I understand about research the more I deeply appreciate the value in qualitative research, in fact, its key to how we are in society as we go forward.

27. If there is a drive for a result then there will instantly be bias as the want for the result will taint the research.

    1. What we see is determined by the quality of the lens that we look through. Long before we peer into a microscope, our eyes receive the images through a lens that has already been shaped by the consciousness we have aligned to.

28. Listening to our body is the best research we can do, we can learn so much about ourselves and about life, just by listening to our body and learning to discern what is true or not.

    1. How often is this brought into any scientific research?The body being the marker rather than the brain directing the bodies way to be marked

       1. Sadly probably never, but I feel there will come a time when scientific research will no longer hold up and people will start to question the validity of what is being given to us. When this happens then as presented by Serge Benhayon since 1999 we will start to look to the body and realise it always had the answers to illness and disease and is the marker by which we all know truth.

29. Great sharing Jennifer. In my work we conduct a lot of research too and what is clear is looking at numbers abstractly means you miss so much of the substance and detail of what’s truly going on. It might look good in a table of stats but it misses out the human element which is truly crucial. The quantitive approach says a lot about how we are living in society today.

30. Having read the final research result of the research I participated in, it’s interesting to reflect back on my own experience here. One thing that I can feel is how powerful our own stories and experiences are, especially when they have changed something significantly in our lives. The way research is structured at present does not reflect this. Pondering on the many hundreds if not thousands of blogs that have been written to share a personal experience or a pondering on something that impacts our lives, why are these not considered research? Because it doesn’t meet an accepted academic criteria? Why does that make something less than something else? This does not make sense to me. I am a person who works very intimately with people, I feel things, they feel things and sometimes we talk about what we are feeling and pondering on. This seems very worthwhile to write and expand on, not just for me, but for others who may be walking a similar path.

31. ‘Basically everything came down to listening to what my body was communicating. The other powerful thing about this is what self-care has brought to my work and the patients and families in my care.’ I love this because we can not truly offer care to others unless we truly care for ourselves first.

32. “Who would have thought that being a research subject could be such fun!” Sharing a way of living that is true care inspires others to equally have fun in sharing joy with others.

33. “Maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” Every single human being carries within them the answers to all the questions we will ever have about life and indeed death so why not embrace that and look at ways of doing research that can brings that wisdom out of people.

34. Listening to our bodies can offer us so much. When we do this – things are very simple. And it is simply a case of us surrendering to our bodies and how deeply they support us.

35. What I can feel from this is how we might miss the real juice of things when we keep ourselves within a role we are assigned to and shut out the opportunity to connect with another on a foundational level, and how that is played out in any situation, any industry or even family.

36. It is super important for us to be able to express and share our experiences and for this to be valued. Each and every one one of us has our owned lived experiences and these have just that same amount of value as the selected results in quantitative research. Every voice needs to be heard.

37. Qualitative research is usually done to then be able to do quantitative research, i.e. to find a way to put the world into numbers. That can be an excellent idea but qualitative research can have a quality and benefit all of its own.

38. “The numbers of participants in qualitative research are often much smaller than with quantitative research and whilst this allows for a richer, in-depth analysis to be performed, there are some factions in science that do not value this and who consider quantitative research superior.” –This is a great sister article to the video I just watched on improving our health – which fundamentally means not limiting or controlling the word evidence. Qualitative research therefore has its extremely valid place in guiding us back towards what is true for our bodies.

39. “Is there in reality any more bias with a relationship between people based on a true foundation of understanding and an intention to see the bigger picture? Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture?” I agree that to reduce our understanding about why things happen reduces the outcomes and the understanding we can have about the cause and effects of the very things we are researching. I would love everything to fit into a box that is measurable by a number because numbers don’t lie! Yet people are complex beings who respond to stimuli in different ways, there are so many variables that, as far as I can see the only way to understand cause and effect is to deepen the conversations around why and look for patterns so we can all learn together. It may not be a quick fix but it will bring more responsibility to us and a truth that we are active agents and participants in our own healing and therefore the healing of others.

    1. Numbers are a great support but they are only a part of the truth and there is more than numbers. That is why we go to a doctor and not to a computer terminal when we are ill, most of the time anyway.

       1. ha ha, yes, a doctor at least has the potential to see past the numbers. There is a place for everything isn’t there?

40. Returning to the value of your expression is very beautiful to experience, and especially because this also adds to the value of each others expressions too.

41. I confirm that when we feel our responsibility of that which we are to bring to the world we get to feel our self worth. It’s not from an arrogance from self of being better than another but the complete opposite in connection with the all and what is needed. The self is relinquished to an allowing, flow and order with an acceptance of an expression flowing through us coming from divinity for another or others.

42. “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.”

    This is where its at – forget the millions of pounds thrown into research when what our lived experience offers is absolutely priceless.

43. How in reality can we study and research something by encompassing the whole and not viewing it from one perspective or another? Perhaps the day will come when we are able to evaluate the energetic vibration and understand life from its energetic cause.

44. “Basically everything came down to listening to what my body was communicating.” – I love the simplicity this brings to how to know how to care for ourself and deepen the quality that we bring to all aspects of life.

45. I loved that this guy ‘the interviewer’ was genuine and actually cared and as I was reading could feel how much this interview was confirming to you in the care you have for yourself .. and then you claimed it for yourself here ‘His willingness to understand and confirm me and what I was sharing was deeply healing.’ It would be great to have more qualitative information/interviews like this. I would love to know what then happened with this information that was gathered .. did it bring about true change somewhere?

46. Our lived experience matters hence why qualitative research matters.

    1. And no matter what anyone says this can be represented by numbers.

47. Human life is all about learning and evolving – so the value of qualitative studies make absolute practical sense to me.

48. “The numbers of participants in qualitative research are often much smaller than with quantitative research” – Imagine if the thousands of people who take part in some quantitative studies were given the opportunity to speak on camera, or share their experience through a testimonial with no character limit? Imagine what would be unveiled, exposed, shared and initiated from this…

49. “I know what I bring to patients and their families is a reflection of the care that I have shown myself.”That is true responsibility right there.

50. ‘The questions were open so I could really discuss and explore how self-care supports me both personally and most definitely professionally.’ Jennifer what I love about this research is that there is no restriction, because everybody’s experience is different yet it is all of equal value.

51. Wow Jennifer, the researcher was truly blessed to have you as one of the participants. You could feel how your livingness contributed to the interview.

52. I couldn’t agree more Jennifer, there is little true gain when people are considered only in numbers with the whole picture being largely ignored… and yet such depth of understanding can be obtained and developed when people work together to discuss their experiences and share learnings free from bias or intent.

53. I agree, if all research was performed with this level of care and integrity then I think I may trust the results a lot more than I currently do. When things are gone about in a cold and clinical fashion, the result is usually just that, cold and clinical, certainly not rich and full. To get a whole picture on things, you have to have a wholeness within yourself that is open to receive, otherwise you only get a part of the picture.

54. Thank you Jennifer for your sharing on Qualitative research. We need to trust in the truth being revealed.

55. Qualitative research is an essential part of research and needs to be valid in the same way as any other research is.

56. “Even with the most ‘objective’ research, the observations are made by people, who are capable of making mistakes and actively or subconsciously bringing bias to their findings. These same scientists can look with scorn on so-called ‘subjective’ research, in denial of the fact that all research has subjectivity at its heart.” Reading recently about the corruption that has occurred in some research undertaken I wonder if there is any true objectivity. From – as an example – the dairy industry funding research into osteoporosis – there is a conscious bias towards getting the results they want. Leaving out the undesirable results from drug trials etc and only publishing evidence that supports the desired pharmaceutical viewpoint is corruption as I see it.

57. I read recently the words ‘a body of evidence’ and saw in this phrase something I hadn’t seen before. I couldn’t help but think that our ‘body’ is a ‘body’ of evidence when it comes to the ‘lived experience’. Our body knows the truth, which means we are more than capable of sharing our experiences as a valid form of qualitative evidence.

    1. Beautifully expressed Vicky. I hadn’t noticed this either!. “Our body knows the truth,” Thus our body should be our guide in all things. Experiential evidence is important – yet personal experience is dissed by academics, even if there are hundreds of people attesting to their unified experience in returning to true health. Why aren’t scientists wanting to find out more from these people – aka Universal Medicine students?

58. “I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.”

    If each of us truly gave weight to the wisdom within these words then we would never muffle the voice through which we express all that is true to the world via that which we are proficient in. In this instance it is nursing but we could equally say “I am part of the whole expression of medicine, teaching, cleaning, parenting” etc.

59. ‘ maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ So true Jennifer, these experiences make up the whole picture.

60. It is the experience that is lived that resonates so much more to each other as it’s a marker of the quality that is on offer for another to feel and then the free will to make choices that too can support change for them.

61. I love qualitative research as you can get a feel for a person or group of people. I find statistics, although powerful in pointing out patterns, do not give me that human factor that is so engaging.

62. This kind of recording can be done by many people and there are many who have interesting or even remarkable medical histories to record.

63. Qualitative research gives permission for people to provide the evidence of what is and is not true based on their personal experience. If it is not biased, controlled or corrupted, this type of research can provide very powerful findings, that otherwise may not be able to be proved by current scientific testing.

64. We will one day realise that there is more to measure than just numbers.

    1. That is true and I feel we may already know that, we just don’t know how to measure it…

65. It is an interesting point you raise Jennifer, when our intention is to truly understand bias can perhaps be reduced because a more inclusive and spherical in nature.

66. More than the actual activities that we may do to self care is the importance of the quality we move and hold are selves in life. If we don’t react to life so much or absorb other’s emotions and situations, self care becomes so much easier.

67. In some of my research into workplace health and wellbeing and complementary-to-medicine modalities many of the journal articles I came across were produced by, or involved, members of the nursing community. It seems that, in terms of the medical community overall, nurses are at the forefront of understanding the importance of self-care – perhaps they get to see the end results of a lack of self-care, and or feel it for themselves. Plus, it feels like they are far less hamstrung than say doctors when it comes to feeling free to have these kinds of conversations, to admit that self-care matters. That the study mentioned here is occurring is further evidence of this.

68. I’m so with you on this Jennifer! As a qualitative researcher I too truly value this form of study. It’s rich, insightful and as you say has the potential to offer healing – to the participant, the researcher and ultimately to those who read it. It’s about people and their experiences. This is not to say quantitative research cannot offer the same opportunities, but I do very much appreciate the qualitative valuing of anecdotal rather than purely scientific evidence.

69. Subjective evidence is indeed not to be discounted, and the challenge of many natural therapies and other healing methods is that we cannot do large trials on them. They have recently been looking at ‘high evidence’ trials for natural medicine with a N = 1 approach which is an interesting development. I don’t have a full understand yet of how this works, but apparently this can potentially support an evidence based approach for natural medicine that does not discount the data from individual cases.

    1. That does sound interesting. N refers to the number of subjects (participants) in a study, so N=1 indicates there is just one participant in a study – typically, quantitative research will aim for much, much larger numbers of participants wherever possible. So this indicates a case study approach as you say, which feels to be more in alignment with the depth offered by qualitative research. This would be a great step forward for research into modalities that are otherwise often dismissed by the medical community, and a great step away from the evidence-based model that dominates much of research.

70. There has to be value in this type of qualitative research from what you shared Jennifer, because the level of detail you were clearly able to go into, your lived experience and resulting awareness of the topic in relation to real life, makes what you share in this way in so many ways more relevant than something statistical and broad. If I was to read something qualitative vs something quantitative as a lay person, interested in what the research means for me, I am likely to get far more from the former, than the latter.

71. The approach to research suggested here: “ if we approached research from the healing opportunities, that are potentially available to both participants and researchers equally, rather than being driven for a result” is in fact the true way forward to deepening our wisdom and understanding. Anything less than this will have us go round and round the same grooves that we have already laid down, proving and confirming the thoughts and patterns we have already been running with.

72. Probably not your intention but I now finally understand the difference between what qualitative and quantitative research is about – thanks Jen!

73. Reflection – confirming how we made the choices self-care is deeply supportive. Often I know I have made choices that do support me but I have not taken the next step which is to deeply appreciate the choices and build an even deeper, stronger loving foundation.

74. Learning requires us to be humble, stay open and observe what is unfolded in front of us. Yet these are often missing when we adopt a position of authority about the subject and attempt to control the process. In effect we end up selecting and limiting what we see. Unfortunately a lot of research and many areas of science have been trapped into such a reductionism. It is a delight to read this blog about how easily we could be playing it completely differently.

75. It is such a beautiful experience to be truly heard and an interview such as this is never one sided. There is so much learning to be experienced when two people exchange on a heart level and the ripple effects flow on.

76. How wonderful that you were “deeply heard and understood” by this man, that is all any of us want, but rarely get, in this fast paced world of ours. I can feel that the respect given to you allowed you to feel that you could open up and share all that you felt to share, with nothing held back. And I am sure that he also learned so much from the experience.

77. It is about people in the end and we are not computers and can not be condensed into a single number or a single answer. That is why I sense talking with people openly as you shared can bring us so much more wisdom.

78. I have been collecting some survey responses lately. The part that I relish reading is not what number they have circled but the words. I get a real sense of what is going on for that person, and people being social creatures often have common themes in our lives. Without the qualitative data, the numbers feel incomplete and I am left with more questions that they answer.

79. Quantitative research is not all that it has been trumped up to be – what you share about qualitative research is very inspiring and empowering in the sense that everybody is their own scientist. And I love your conclusion: “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.”

80. I love the idea of using research not to get some end result, fit a box we want but in a open and healing way where a relationship is built up between the researcher and the participant then there is no doubt much more gold would come out of the research.

81. “He would often repeat back things that I had said in his own words, to make sure he understood what I had said, thus expanding on what I had expressed, to which I was then able to add further depth.” This is a two-way give and give back – real exploration within the parameters of research study.

82. We are all living experiments and things can change at any moment based on our choices. Science lives within us not just as a job or a subject.

83. A beautiful example of an interview where the participants truly connect to share a deepening understanding of the subject being discussed.

84. From my understanding quantitative research can help to establish a correlation and the larger the better to be able to have confidence in it, but so often this misses the why? As an example there is a recent study that says you are 12% more likely to get dementia if you live within 100 metres of a busy road. OK but why? Is it the pollution? Are houses cheaper there so its poverty? Is it noise and the constant assault on the ears? Is it causal, or is there another reason for the relationship such as the person’s choices. That to me comes from the qualitative research.

85. Lovely, you got to appreciate your growth too, ‘As I spoke I was appreciating the level of changes that I had made in my own life, through self-care and how it had brought so much to my life.’

86. I love what you have shared here Jennifer; expressing in full and being heard, what a valuable experience and blessing for you both;
    “What felt so exquisite about my involvement was that through being deeply heard and understood, I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important”.

87. “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” Absolutely – makes perfect sense to me!

88. Bias only occurs when we deviate from truth. In order to have accurate research, we do not need to enforce purely clinical double blind placebo trials, we need simply as humans re-learn how to express the truth that we are so inherently made up of and communicate this in full from heart to heart. There is a vast intelligence here we have not yet begun to tap into…

89. Science comes alive when we value the science of our choices in life.

90. The subjective experience of people is their science, their life their laboratory and extremely valid, even if established science does not recognise it yet; human beings are not robots or cage animals after all – unless the individual chooses to not have a voice and that they don’t count. Your experience of this interview based on qualitative research proves how much people crave being able to express and equally being heard.

    1. Yes I really get what you are offering here, if we choose not to express then we can respond in a predictable way, like a caged animal and we are likely to tick boxes, yet if we see our bodies as a laboratory, that we are our own researchers then we are empowered to express from our own authority what we are experiencing and be active agents in our own healing.

91. The relationship between you and the researcher, their questions, the flow she allowed you and the ease you had with yourself and her, will no doubt have added to the quality of results she was able to bring to this piece of research.

92. This would be fantastic, research that serves all ‘research would be more meaningful to everyone in the community and may in fact lead us to developing a greater understanding of ourselves and each other.’

93. During my university studies I “Eiked!” at both kinds of study, and yet, with the simplicity and the JOY that you have explained both of these in I can actually see the true purpose and potential behind them.

94. I liked what was shared about the interview questions being open in the study that was attended. Often when I am filling out the quantitative section of a survey, I feel that the question is boxing me in and doesn’t actually capture how I feel. In these cases I tend to put a neutral answer, as there is no other option. Whereas with open questions you actually get to express your experience without having to fit into a pre determined box.

95. I have used a few surveys with various projects in the last few years. Whilst it is good to have numbers that show for instance that 95% of participants found benefit from the program, it is actually the qualitative data that gives you a real insight into how the experience was for them. This is the part that I love to read, to see common themes developing and to give insight into potential improvements to the program.

96. This is really important Jennifer – ‘I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better than anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.’

    It’s super important because how often do we really and truly feel our worth and value through what we bring to the world whether it be through our jobs, or our relationships.

    This is healing for all of us Jennifer to read as I know that for me it has made me stop to appreciate who I am and the beauty that I bring to the world and with that I feel great appreciation for everyone.

97. ‘And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ In studying people and the way we live, we can learn everything we need to know.

98. Life’s lived experience provides a wealth of evidence. This lived experience is always what the body has reacted to, adapted to or responded to in any given moment or circumstance. Therefore, it is very valid and when qualitatively collated, very meaningful.

99. Very important point Jen, how self care actually changes our quality of life, to be able to say you actually go to work and enjoy. I can also relate to this as since I have been building a caring relationship with myself, I have noticed I am better equipped to deal with life and I work in a very demanding job yet am able to work there enjoying, actually loving what I do. Even when there are challenging times, I don’t ‘go down’, I have the solidness to deal with it. What I am sharing is subjective – yet is is evidence. It is all there, how I do it and how it affects me. This is research, something that is accessible to everyone, in very real life conditions.

100. Even everyday conversation can be research. Being open to learning about another’s experience of the world we learn more about the world we both share. In effect is that not what the fields of science were based on, observations of the world around us? Including each other.

101. At work we’ve been carrying out some reserach studies, the results are great to look at but when you see a set of numbers and averages of these on a mass scale, it’s only part of the picture. For me the gems are in the individual’s free answers, where people share what they feel about a topic, here I feel I get to know the person and this helps us immensely.

102. I am not surprised that participating in the qualitative research had such a wonderful impact. Whilst I agree that in many situations quantitative research is useful, I love the personal care, attention, honouring and broader outlook offered by qualitative research. It is a great medium for inspiring equality in owning and contributing to the research. Is great at prompting deeper reflection and awareness, and thus brilliant at empowering people.

103. Sally I agree that the combination of both quantitative and qualitative reserach is certainly what is needed, with this you end up having a well rounded view of any topic. When looking at research data it’s certainly the open questions that allow you to really get a rich feeling of the person and their feelings towards a topic.

104. I too have totally enjoyed recent opportunities to engage in qualitative research into how organisations support the well being of their employees. What I found fascinating was how I only got asked the initial two questions on the study but answered in such a way that I covered all the other questions. I think there is such as opportunity for greater understanding and themes holding true answers rather than solutions with this type of research.

105. I agree with you viewpoint Jennifer that qualitative research is valid because it is based on the truth that people matter, each and every person and their unique expression makes up the whole of society and the whole of mankind. There are going to be statements made that resonate with a whole lot of people and some with less but even in this case there can be learning about each other in such research and that can lead to greater understanding and therefore greater harmony.

106. We are just about to complete the Census here in Australia where a large number of statistics and data will be counted to try to describe ‘where we are’ as people. But as your words beautifully show Jennifer, there is so much that lives betweens the numbers and the multiple choice answers in life. When we share and talk about how we feel, it illuminates our world and shows how we are all connected in a much deeper way than we think. Let us all count, share and value our experiences every day.

107. “The other powerful thing about this is what self-care has brought to my work and the patients and families in my care. I genuinely enjoy my work, more so than ever and I know what I bring to patients and their families is a reflection of the care that I have shown myself.” This is gold and something that is rarely truly appreciated.

108. I wonder how often we allow people to say what they truly feel, and to give value to their experiences and learnings?

109. I think it’s incredibly important how the interviewee feels about having the chance to express those inner feelings that rarely get a voice in the busy working day. I feel the concept of such honouring opportunities to express is well worth researching on its own merits. Jen describes it as a very ‘healing’ experience and I am sure many others would feel the same.

110. How we feel is everything.

111. In this world presently, research is required to prove something to other people to show that it has validity. Therefore we must never underestimate how much information we have at our fingertips and record our knowledge. As proof is required, we need to use all methods for the next generations to all benefit too, you show here Jennifer that qualitative research is as valuable a record as quantitative.

112. It feels like we need qualitative and quantitative mixed methods of research, as both have a huge value providing information for the future. There are other supporting methods; case studies, questionnaires, and follow up contacts which provide evidence of long term changes, one research study alone is not sufficient evidence. But when a body of evidence grows from a variety of studies, it will be listened to.

113. Qualitative research is indeed able to convey far more of the human experience than what numbers can- we do have to be ready to really appreciate what people share with us.

114. It’s such an illusion that much of the way we assess things can be done without ‘subjectivity’ being involved. Having a background in the arts, I have seen countless assessments, grades and indeed accolades… all claiming to be made with full objectivity, and all totally smacking of personal bias, opinion, favour, agenda and preference.
     Are many of the outcomes sought in ‘science’ and other fields truly any different? The question to be asked in regards to any research, is whether it truly has the well-being of all at its heart. Or has the answer sought already been arrived at, by the one asking the question?

115. This is a wonderful description of the power in qualitative research Jennifer, and indeed any research that truly has at its core the “intention to see the bigger picture”. There is clearly a lid to be lifted off research – from what I have learned, bias and agendas are rife in so much of what is undertaken.
     The experience you describe with your interviewer feels nothing but enlightening and expansive for you both – surely this is to be valued, and deeply so? For what was being ‘researched’ was not only about the connection made in such an interview, but a far more broadly encompassing picture, where the experiences of people matter, and matter deeply. They constitute true evidence applicable on a wide scale.

116. I love the topic of the research you have participated in. Recently I was asked if what I do )as an esoteric practitioner) is evidence based. I responded that it was not but that there was a vast log of people sharing their experiences with it and that I found that more valuable and trustworthy.

117. Jennifer how incredible to see that you can’t solely rely on a set of numbers or controlled questions to get a feel for people. That these can assist but the real gold, the real story, the real experience and the real fullness comes from having an open conversation about topics as in the way qualitative reserach in the example you provided can be done. As I’ve heard others share this is personal experiences, the lived way that can be then captured and used with the routine questions to provide a far richer understanding about the topic being researched.

118. I love the power of the two types of research combined. Like the right hand with the left hand, we can get by, even become proficient, at using just one, but the true balance and support comes in using them both together.

119. I only recently found out about quantative and qualitative research. Although both are ultimately about people, I particularly love qualitative research because it is about people and their expression, experiences and feelings. It comes straight from the source .. no second guessing. This sounds like an amazing piece of research with regards to self care and nurses and in turn how this supports others. I did an interview a while ago that was recorded, I recently listened to this and it was deeply healing for me. I felt this appreciation I had never felt before for me, especially in what I was sharing and got to see myself in a completely different light. It was really lovely.

120. Thank You Jennifer Smith for giving us all an insight to your own experience on research here. We have this thing going on right now in our world where so much is about ‘evidence based’ this or that and we don’t often get to know what Qualitative Research is about and your blog sets it out clear.
     I feel it offers so much more without the limitations and I trust that one day this is how research will be conducted to get a true picture and it comes from real LIVED life and the bonus is the participant as in your case gets a healing and leaves the interview feeling expanded.

121. What I value about qualitative research is that we get to hear from people about their experiences and what they are feeling. So often in research and in particular in surveys is that people answer the question according to how they should ‘best’ answer the question. It leaves the question open to interpretation rather than what is actually going on.

122. As this blog shows, qualitative research can be a conversation between two people, where one is finding out about the other. This happens a lot in doctors treatment rooms, where he/she asks questions and listens to the patient. What I have observed, is how the questions asked can be very specific and according to what they want to hear, with their best intentions, sometimes this can feel like they are symptom matching for the appropriate pharmaceutical drug to prescribe – without the time or the resources to truly address what is the root cause of the situation or the ailment and what is the best most healing way forward for them. These conversations therefore can tend to lose their qualitative approach and become more like hard data collecting. This shows me how without the human element we are lost.

123. Thank you for a great sharing Jennifer. I believe as you say that Qualitative research that you experienced was indeed a deep sharing on self care for the Practitioner first before they are able to share that with patients.

124. In quantitative research i feel the whole picture isn’t truly seen. While in conversation with a true willingness to understand the subject of research will go much deeper on the subject. Bringing true livingness into the picture is what is needed.

125. I have found in life that when I am driven for a result, even when I deeply believe it is for the good of the whole, my driven state narrows my vision and it ends up becoming a personalised goal. Those moments of magic, amazing insights and the expansion tends to come incidental when I am focused in people and the quality with which I am living everything in the moment. I love the fact that the researcher was open and genuinely interested in inspiring people to say all they had to say. This is a great way of observing and learning without dictating the outcome and qualitative research is great way facilitating such a process.

126. Any type of research into the benefits of self care has got to be a winner. Thanks for writing this I really only knew about quantitative research of which the immediate thought of boring jumps in but qualitative research I feel I could relate to.

127. This makes complete sense, if we don’t care for self we are unable to care for others, how can we share something that we don’t have, ‘the topic of self-care in nurses who work in palliative care and whether this may relate to compassion for self and compassion for others.’

128. Qualitative research is so valuable – it is all about the experiences and themes of the participants, with a view to establishing a broader understanding of what a group of people’s experiences are on a particular subject. However, this differs so much from quantitative research which is all about numbers. And I must add that quantitative research is also so valuable. But the real value comes from combining the two. No different to complementary medicine and allopathic medicine – one without the other is not totally complete, but when you combine the two you have a powerful marriage. Similarly numbers speak loudly, and when combined with experiences this magnifies and amplifies the result and benefits all. The trick is to have both and use both as is appropriate and not box one into the other and then throw away the baby with the bathwater.

129. It makes total sense that self-care leads to more compassion for self and others. Everybody can experience that, the moment we are stressed, in a rush, emotional, we become more inconsiderate, life becomes about us, we push, we pull, we demand, etc. Whenever I am at ease with myself and love myself to the bone, I have more capacity to deal with people, I drive slower, I walk differently, I smile more… it is not a difficult equation to make.

130. What you propose here Jen is very profound, if we were to make research about people and not about profit, we would have a very different approach to it and possibly very different results!

131. “…I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better that anyone else’s, but because it was my expression…”
     I love what you express here Jen, I walked through life for so long not giving myself a voice and not considering what I had to say as valuable, but all our voices are needed and everyone needs to contribute to life in their own way and area of expertise. I understood over the past years, that if I do not bring my particular flavour to life, no one can substitute that, as my expression is unique and very needed in exactly that way.

132. Our understanding of cause and effect in our lives is inherently valuable and should be considered as part of research.

133. This is a lovely experience of qualitative research Jennifer. Often in medical research qualitative research is ignored or seen as less, and we look more to the numbers to “prove” that something works or does not. The issue with this approach is it does not take the individual patient into account. That is, we know that for medication X, 90% of people will benefit without harm, but when we give that medication, we don’t know whether the person is in the 90% or the 10%. Qualitative research has much to offer but it requires a deeper level of engagement than simply looking at numbers.

134. There is great healing in expressing the changes we have made in our lives and – in this case particularly – the power of self-care. It is therefor super important to share what we live and what we have experienced certain changes bring to our lives. It is this kind of research that humanity is waiting for, and there is plenty of evidence to be found all around us.

135. Jennifer I agree that all research is biased and that evidence based research is in fact just as biased as that based on experience of people. It is with the sticking to numbers and fixed questions that we fool ourselves into thinking we have the answers. But my score of three on an answer can mean something completely different than another’s, as we all answer from our own point of view. My understanding of wellbeing and health for example has changed over the years so the same scores would mean something completely different today. It is time science came to admit this and would open up to truly listening to what people have to say.

136. We have a world where people are busy keeping up with the images we think we need to live by and individuals rarely reflect on and express what is real for them. It seems obvious to me that using qualitative research can inspire an inner reflection and support a growing confidence in expressing, as well as initiation of a much needed discussion on how we live our lives.

137. In the shared quality between us we find connection and so much is offered than in counting results.

138. With the intention to see the bigger picture, we would have to open up beyond our ideals, beliefs and agendas and embrace everyone’s perspectives and experiences as valid research, we would start to get a true reflection of how we are living and the true impact our choices are having on our health. Start at the source being the people and we would then understand the statistics as a result of our choices.

139. Jennifer I am not surprised the researcher didn’t want to miss a word, as I’m sure your quality of living was ‘ gold’ to record.

140. Sometimes qualitative research to me is the act of life itself. Because when do we ever stop observing each other and learning from what we see.

     1. This is so true. We are constantly blessed with people around us, whether we know them or not. Observing and interacting with them is like a constant learning ground, showing us how deeply we let others in and how we can all work together, or not.

141. “Perhaps if we approached research from the healing opportunities (healing in the broadest meaning of the word), that are potentially available to both participants and researchers equally, rather than being driven for a result (whether it be finding a cure, getting a name or reputation or financial gain), research would be more meaningful to everyone in the community and may in fact lead us to developing a greater understanding of ourselves and each other.”
     This drive for results in order to satisfy a pre-determined result is one of the great and most well known pitfalls currently in research, and one that needs to be exposed for what it is. That is, a degradation of true science and what it has to offer humanity.

142. In my 20’s I had an experience with cancer and was given statistics on survival and recovery. I remember at that time wondering how they could know what had caused my issue when there was so much they didn’t know about me. Your blog captures that missing link very well and this is something that now needs to be taken into account for research.

143. This blog illustrates beautifully the potential that is there when we begin to make quality the focus of how we do things rather than what or how much we do.

144. This was a great interview and connection you had with the researcher Jennifer, and great to share the importance of self care in your industry, ‘The other powerful thing about this is what self-care has brought to my work and the patients and families in my care. I genuinely enjoy my work, more so than ever and I know what I bring to patients and their families is a reflection of the care that I have shown myself.’

145. Thank you for sharing your lovely experience with qualitative research Jennifer, I agree it is very valuable research and more is needed in society.

146. What amazes me about your blog, Jennifer, is how you deepened through the connection to your interviewer. Often in research – even in qualitative research – the connection between humans is missing although this is the key to research, be it qualitative or quantitative.

147. This is beautiful Jennifer. I love the connection that you had with the researcher, this shows the healing that is on offer when research is conducted to actually explore a topic rather than to get a preconceived answer. I’m sure your level of self-care would have redefined the meaning of self care for the researcher.

148. “It really felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend. Even though there were set questions, the flow of our conversation was a very natural one, where each question asked supported me to express more deeply, so that the researcher truly understood what was being said.” Imagine if we allowed a similar, loving voice within us, who could ask us these deeply loving questions and bring us to a deeper understanding about ourselves.

149. “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” Yes, the real people, including ourselves in this. If we can treat our life situations with more detachment. Like that of an objective scientist within our subjective life, seeing situations from a different vantage point we give ourselves space to choose again from a truer more loving place.

150. “Is there in reality any more bias with a relationship between people based on a true foundation of understanding and an intention to see the bigger picture? Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture? I feel there is.” This is absolutely true Jennifer. I just discovered today how taking a scientific view of something enabled me to be less biased in my relationship. I chose to observe my behavior like a detached scientist, as an experiment, and found it very freeing to know that I am not stuck with only one choice in a difficult situation, which is usually to react to it. Very often my view can be blurred, and clouded when I am in reaction to a situation. To observe it rather than react has given me the freedom and the space to step back a moment and to choose a more loving approach. Science can be alchemy.

151. As I was reading your blog, Jennifer, I kept wondering if another reason why qualitative research is not done as much as it needs to be, was because of how disconnected from ourselves and each other we are. You and the interviewer connected very deeply and it was through your connection that the questions and the answers came alive and true research occurred. The more we choose to connect with ourselves and each other, the more natural qualitative research becomes.

152. I love the proposal that we research for the sake of healing first and foremost. Then if there is an outcome that supports the broader community, that is an added bonus. We have gotten so caught up in needing proof that we have made that more important than actually healing ourselves. By giving power to factual evidence rather than our experience, we have forgotten how wise we already are.

153. These days it is common for people to not believe something until it is proven with empirical evidence. What I loved about what was shared in this article is how important it is for people to be heard and to value the wisdom and experience that have lived. We just know things and they do not need any proof.

154. I would agree Jen that some people in research look down on qualitative data as being inferior to quantitative stats. It is great to know that X% of a population have diabetes etc but this does not begin to give the picture of why this is happening. We need to have this deeper understanding in order to develop strategies that actually support us. Quantitative data also tends to homogenise groups of people which does not offer the diversity or a full reflection of what is going on.

155. I was interested to read that the idea of a self-care plan is common knowledge amongst palliative care nurses. It is great that they are looking at self-care, as compassion fatigue figures are often very high for palliative care workers. However it also felt a bit two dimensional having a plan. In my experience, self-care is something that happens moment to moment by listening to and responding to the body. It is great to have basic tools like body awareness, gentleness, going to bed by 9pm etc but it needs to be fluid and responsive to our needs.

156. This is really interesting, Jennifer. In my field of work, I am surprised by how little qualitative research has been carried out. It would seem that less accountability is required if you are just looking at numbers and ticking boxes, rather than really listening to what is being shared about people’s actual experiences and the quality of their lives.

157. As a society we tend to answer question quite superficial. For example: how is it at work? Good. On a scale from 1 to 10 this would probably somewhere between 6 and 8. But what does this really say? Qualitative research gives the opportunity to profoundly connect to what people are expressing and investigate what is really going on. That is usually a lot more detailed and it’s less easy to ‘box’ the answers. As shared in this blog, the richness of these results could be extremely usefull to supply True answers, rather than ‘quick’ solutions based on gathered superficial information. As always, the richness also depends on the willingness to connect deeply. This is for both the interviewer as well as the one answering.

158. Pondering on true service, which is what true health care is all about there has to be a true purpose. Purpose that serves all equally and thus truly getting to the cause of ill-health. Qualitative research is what the future of medicine could be now and is offers the way to true health now providing a way for us all to evolve!

159. Over the past 10 years my understanding and awareness of life, people and Universe have deepened because one man, Serge Benhayon, has been bold enough to ask the questions that most of humanity had so given up on that they did not even bother asking. It is a wonderful support when someone has a deep level of love for people poses those what if and how about questions. Quantitative research in the hands of someone who truly cares about people and is open to deepening awareness and understanding is a blessing to humanity.

160. It is wonderful that you have highlighted the value of qualitative research. It has a livingness, and so an ability to expand our experience and awareness.

161. The world is teaching wonderment to us. I’m learning to be more and more aware of my own beliefs and ideals and am able to let a lot of them go. There’s such a difference in being with people and listening, connecting to people when I choose to do so from innocence, True interest and curiosity. Indeed, everyone has a different story! There’s so so much behind people’s behaviour. If only I choose to wonder, accept and stay with myself, there’s wonders every day. Offering me an understanding of life like never before. This is qualitative research in fact. I find it more than beautiful to connect and re-connect to this blog over and over again.

162. The question we pose directs the conversation and defines the type and the breadth of the answer we receive. I was only familiar with quantitative research when you look at a very specific criteria in a huge number of cases, and found it a frustrating process, because in the period that it took for the information to be gathered, I would invariably deepen my understanding of the topic and now thought other questions more suitable. I realised that the research is as good as and limited by the level of understanding of the researcher. When I heard about qualitative research I was not so sure about it. It did not seem as definite as the quantitative with its impressive large amount of data. Yet as I hear and read more about it I realise what a gift it provides. I love the story of how the researcher provided open ended questions that supported the participants to go deeper and you felt empowered as a result of your participation. And how he truly wanted to learn more about the topic and was happy for it to unfold as it needed to. This to me should be the minimum requirement for the foundation of any research.

163. I love that you have been able to share how valuable self care is in a nursing context. In every context really, but in an industry where you are always looking after others the value of looking after yourself and the impact that can have on another is well worth researching.

164. I heard recently that qualitative research is seeing to hold more value than originally felt in the scientific world now, and over a little more time, it will be more valued especially when it is backed by collective similar experiences and statistics. Your example on self care Jennifer can be reflected by many others who have made similar changes, so as often is stated in research, more evidence is required to back this up. This research study can be widened and repeated with many participants worldwide.

165. Thank you Jennifer for breaking it down giving me a broader understanding of how research is and how it can be performed. There were many points that you uncovered and brought a simpler way to, including the ‘bigger picture’, the healing aspect and connection between the researchers and participants. Research has the way, just like words used in slang, to create an objective way to live, instead of as you say discovering subjectively what works from people’s bodies. Research if not performed from the ‘bigger picture’ is essentially capping our existence. Great blog !

166. I so enjoy connection with others, it was lovely to read your article and experience your appreciation, openness and joy when connecting and expressing with another. You have raised some important issues about how research is currently evaluated.

167. Appreciation and awareness of how amazing we are is a key to healing, there is always more to learn, but… “Reflecting on my own self-care in this way, with another was a powerful experience. As I spoke I was appreciating the level of changes that I had made in my own life, through self-care and how it had brought so much to my life.” Reflecting and assessing where we are truly at is powerful way of deepening and embodying healing.

168. Jennifer I usually cringe at being asked to take part in research because of the clinical, matter of fact and rather cold nature of it. Yet what you describe sounds so different and amazing to be part of.

169. Research based on the actual evidence of something that is working as in this case self-care is surely what we want to hear about; if not there has be other factors at play. This to me is what research is all about, a lived experience and not about looking for answers to suit.

170. How amazing, and what an extra dimension to bring to research itself, when the observation and enquiry brings healing and confirmation with it for the participants. Maybe there is a new paradigm of research that can be explored and studied now 🙂

171. Hello Jennifer and this description says it all, “The qualitative approach to research, is less about figures and results and more about the experiences and themes of the participants,” The world is full of people and so naturally it would make sense that this is a key. So ‘figures and results’ hold some importance but not over the top of the ‘experiences and themes’ of people. How could we ever think any different?, by making one dominate the other and then we think it is it. Let’s do studies but make sure if there is 100 people that we know who they are and not just treat them like a herd of cattle.

172. I have been part of studies where the questions themselves can transform a whole community but asking people to stop and think about questions to do with quality of life and health it can be a very powerful process.

173. Maree simply reading the first words of your title ‘To breathe my own breath’ gives my chest a freed up feeling of expansion, it’s wonderful and makes me realise how many peope’s breathing is restricted, even though they don’t have asthma.

174. I do agree with you Jennifer that the evidence based research must have its place in science and to write them off as being prone to bias is too easy. To me the information that can be gathered from peoples based studies is what we need as it just comes from lived experience and has much more connection with us human beings then when you create laboratory environment that lacks this representation.

175. It is beautiful to be heard by another. It allows us to express much more clearly if the other one is open. Surprisingly this is true even if that openness initially may only be for professional reasons.

176. Jennifer there are not so many people who can say: “I genuinely enjoy my work, more so than ever and I know what I bring to patients and their families is a reflection of the care that I have shown myself.” So you are an inspiration for all people around you and it is wonderful that this research brought it to your attention.

177. It is completely primitive, non-progressive and backward thinking to dismiss the value of peoples experiences in research. It is our experiences and the choices we make in life that instigate our growth as human beings. Yes somehow over the years we have defined research outside of these parameters with evidence only being ‘qualified’ when it stems from an extremely controlled environment. The result of this is that all our scientific studies and are completely void of human experiences – for there is much more to us than our physical body alone.

178. Appreciate the fact that what is brought to this qualitative research was you and when this energy is connected to, which brings the divine you or inner-most, so then you both get a blessing from this experience.

179. How amazing is it to really feel that qualitative research, done in a True way, is actually medicine in itself. Bringing back trust, intimacy, joy, healing, understanding, deeper insights, etc. How wonderful and to be appreciated is that.

180. It is interesting how some studies are super supportive, as this one seems to have been, where it allows you to take stock of everything and with that you can really appreciate where you are at and what you are doing in life, or get a good little wake up call and know what needs to be done next. So it’s not just a study for someone else’s benefit, the participants also benefit just from being a part of it.

181. Perhaps there is a reason that science doesn’t like this type of research, because it is real and people can relate and understand it and yet it cannot be manipulated, and what I love about it is that it is real, and about people and I get a feeling for it, rather than it just be a number or a statistic.

182. “His willingness to understand and confirm me and what I was sharing was deeply healing”. This is how a true interview works, when we really listen to each other and explore together the subject at hand. We can each bring so much and expand the area under discussion and bring needed change.

183. ’ However we soldier on, as we try to put on a public face that all is well.’ – This is a very sad reality, and on the inside the separation and the feeling of loneliness is growing bigger and bigger.

184. Jennifer, I wonder if they followed up with you to support them in their research as you clearly know what needs doing?

     1. That’s a great question Christoph. We have followed up with each other, but not in that context. I have shared my experience and I will eventually get feedback from the interview, which really is a huge support for the both of us.

185. ‘And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ The only bit I would change about the above sentence is omitting the word ‘maybe’! I am in no doubt that we are missing a trick when it comes to research and what we give credence to.

186. “I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better than anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.” This is a very important bi-product of qualitative research and shows that when carried out with care offers great value to society far beyond the topic it is researching.

187. Jennifer this is such a lovely blog to re-read and enjoy. It brings the quality of the interview you experienced right home. It is clear that there is so much to be gained in adding this style of research to our study of life. Research must be held in the broader perspective of enriching life for all. You have highlighted the criteria that offers this. It brings medicine back to the ancient wisdom of embracing the whole in healing the part.

188. This whole conversation really brings to the fore the immense value of qualitative research as a living body of information that we can interact with and fully explore. What we have to offer one another through the way we live and choose to care for selves (or not).

189. This blog begins to expose that our current scientific research is only a part of the picture and that the truth and the answers we seek lie within the interaction, communication and relationships between people. The sharing of our lived experiences can provide a reflection of exactly what needs to be understood at that time.

190. The significance of Self-care for those who ‘care’ in their chosen profession and for those who receive that ‘care’. I have no doubt that a professional who knows self-care from the inside out has the ability to work more productively and connect with this client / patient in a very real way. It is not only inspirational, it is based on a staff member walking their talk and having the self worth and awareness to deliver ‘care’ with real commitment, care and dedication. Amazing.

191. I enjoyed your telling of the relationship you built with the researcher, every day we can have these encounters with new people in our lives, if we are open to it. It offers depth, it enriches, and the connection brings a feeling of belonging and being part of the whole.

192. Researchers are missing out on a wealth of evidence that could make real changes within society, by not asking questions of people who have really experiences from their bodies “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” It is very controlling to have a derision for qualitative data, it in fact more I feel more bias based and unrepresentative.

193. I love how you have described the experience of being interviewed, and how your experiences were able to be shared with others by way of connection and communication as though you were talking to an old friend. It makes sense, after all, aren’t all of humanity really just old friends?

194. Jennifer what’s really inspiring is the connection you built with the person conducting the research, the relationship that was the most important part of the entire process and with that strong relationship a true understanding of what you felt could be captured.

195. Great sharing, Jen. I really feel at times that even though it is said that the health system needs to be “patient focussed” it comes with boundaries and conditions. Qualitative research allows patients or consumers of the health system to express more fully and from truth and I feel the health system as it is cannot cope with this level of truth. Quotas, criteria, guidelines etc do not fit into a patient focussed health system, and maybe qualitative research challenges this with its very honest and open approach to collecting data.

196. This type of research can be very powerful as it goes beyond the numbers. It is interesting that in medical research there is so much focus on the numbers and we lose the individual. Yet in clinical practice we are trying to make it more about the individual patient. How can we make it about the individual if we don’t have qualitative research?

197. When we take the time to connect and communicate to one another about a particular subject, what arises from the conversation can be so much more informative than the original answers sought by the researcher. Its an immensely valuable way to expand our awareness of one another and how the way we live affects us.

198. What you share about objectivity and subjectivity is so important for science to understand. They are both activities that always go hand in hand in all that we do, because we are all subjects and objects at the same time. And it’s only in the magic of being connected with each other that we can find truth both in objectivity and subjectivity.

199. After I have read your informative blog Jennifer I only can agree that it would be wonderful “if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences” as this kind of research would deliver of course a deeper understanding what actually served us all.

200. I love how you felt like you were having a conversation with an old friend, and how you felt supported to express more deeply thereby supporting the researcher to come to a deeper understanding of that which he was researching, benefiting all. A far cry from ticking boxes, which leaves no room for any true expression or understanding of ones lived experience.

201. “What surprised me about being a participant was how profound the experience of being interviewed was.” The out come of being deeply held and feeling understood and heard is the joy felt in your expression Jennifer and the deep healing received by both you and the researcher.

202. I love the attention to detail that the researcher took in making sure he really understood what you were communicating Jennifer. Great to hear of that kind of integrity in research.

203. ’He would often repeat back things that I had said in his own words, to make sure he understood what I had said, thus expanding on what I had expressed, to which I was then able to add further depth.’ – It is interesting how this kind of interaction is often seen as something rare, when in truth this would be the most natural way to interact with others. He was able to understand you because he was he was present and truly with you during the interview.

204. Self-care has been a revelation in my life. It changed around caring for myself from being a chore I had to do, to a loving way of being with myself. Its been so very awesome to slowly introduce more and more care that I now feel cared for in a way I’ve always wanted to, I just thought someone else would do it for me rather than myself!

205. Thank you Jennifer, to me when people provide an understanding from what they have lived, there is a reality to that wisdom, which is providing a way for humanity to evolve.

206. It would be interesting to know what happened with this qualitative research. Are they keeping you up to date on its progress? Did they make substantial changes due to your contribution? They may have done so.

207. Qualitative research is about people observing life and observing themselves. When people are given the space to express, some incredible truths are shared. This is the heart of research, coming from people, for people, without the investment in predetermined outcomes.

208. What I have been consistently inspired by Serge Benhayon is to always make it about people and connection. The only way we can truly make a difference is when we open up and connect with the world around us.

209. ‘And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ I am sure that is true Jennifer.

210. Jennifer I love your description of the interaction between you and the researcher. What you have described feels fairly rare, as so often when we talk with another we aren’t truly listening or indeed open to what they are saying, we are simply waiting to interject with the sentences that we already have queued up to deliver.

211. The value of Qualitative research, understanding and expression. Quantitative research has dominated all aspects of life and study to the point where money and drive to attract it reign supreme. We know that our intelligence is there within an available to us from when we are born. You have opened the door Jennifer Smith and let in the light for the possibility of reconnection with our true intelligence.

212. ‘What felt so exquisite about my involvement was that through being deeply heard and understood, I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better that anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.’
     You are bringing up a wide spread consciousness that most people think what they say is not relevant for the public. In you expressing your truth, you brought a stop to this consciousness in yourself. This is amazing.

213. ’What felt so exquisite about my involvement was that through being deeply heard and understood, I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better than anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.’ What we each contribute is significantly important as a part of the whole. It makes sense that this brought a feeling of value, as we each have a unique expression that needs to be heard.

     1. This is so true. And in honouring another we are honouring ourselves, giving permission to spend the time needed and not rush or try and squeeze tasks and people into allotted time frames and boxes.

214. ’And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ The only science that makes sense to me is that which is lived and understood or felt in the body.

215. A great article Jennifer – I can feel the joy in which you describe your openness towards the researcher and equally how he opened up to you and your response. How simple it is when we don’t try to prove anything or control the situation, but simply just share all that we are in all our glory.

     1. Something really amazing happens when we simply open ourselves up to others without all the ‘shoulds’ and ‘scripts’ about how we perceive we are meant to behave in certain situations.

216. The value of true research from our very livingness cannot be overestimated as it is crucial for our way forward with our health and well being from the point of our own healing.The truth can always be felt and know everything else is just not. Thank you Jennifer.

217. If we approached research with a true intent to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and one another, and we appreciated that anything we partake in especially those that involve the participation of many has the potential to bring great healing for everyone, it would not then become apparent that at different moments and in different scenarios different types of research are supportive, and what qualitative research provides can be immensely valuable.

218. Much research is based on a researcher proving that they are right rather than being open to discovering the truth.

219. There is a difference between feeling and knowing the truth about how something works and trying to narrowly prove how we believe something works.

220. The irrational fear of so called ‘bias’ stems from a lack of connection to our inner hearts and therefore a disconnection from our sixth sense – the ability to feel and discern energy.
     Truth has a certain quality of energy that we can feel, so we do know when something feels expansive in our understanding or awareness. However if we are cut off from this inner feeling and knowing, then we are left to only rely on the mind which will bring in all sorts of complexity, reductionism and madly try to control all variables (which by nature are impossible to control anyway!) and will try to narrow things down so we can say we have proved something or measured something.
     There is a certain satisfaction and recognition in this, but so what, if it is not the energetic truth of how life is? So what, if it does not support humanity to live together in more harmony with themselves and with each other?

221. This blog reminds me that science and research has always been based on observation and experience and learning from that. This observation and learning can come in many forms, even in how we live day to day and observing how it affects our bodies and our state of being. So to limit what is deemed acceptable evidence seems more about control rather than exploration.

222. ‘There are some factions in science that do not value this and who consider quantitative research superior.’ When I ponder on this I am reminded how narrow a focus mainstream science has. When we refuse to acknowledge the whole and that each part is equally as valid we are reducing our understanding of the world before we even start. The arrogance that this also suggests is so prevalent makes me feel that those who promote such views are keeping and using ‘science’ for themselves with the agenda of wielding it as a tool to keep themselves superior and separate from the rest of humanity! When we dismiss the feelings of people as irrelevant we are negating the very fact of the bigger picture and that these feelings have s deep effect on the body, causing either ill health and disease or harmony and joy. This is certainly worthy of ‘scientific’ study in its own right, let alone acknowledging its value in qualitative research.

     1. To dismiss the feelings of another as irrelevant we are being hugely arrogant. Testing and ranking things outside of ourselves, much like thinking one moment is more important than the next. It’s all lies, untruths, which keep us from seeing the beauty and unity of the whole, that we all actually belong to.

223. When we are an expert on a matter and the listener accepts that, an amazing exchange can happen like in this instance.

224. How deeply healing it can be, for both parties, when we allow ourselves to really connect and be open with each other. This can be with anyone, not just our nearest and dearest. And it’s clear that the foundation of connection you have with yourself, Jennifer, and your love for people, facilitated a depth of intimacy between the two of you, which brings so much more richness to the research.

225. “I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better that anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole…”
     Yes, we all have our unique part to play, and the expression of each and everyone of us is valuable and important, for the understanding and evolution of the whole.

226. Very interesting article Jennifer. If we base research only on facts and figures, we miss out on the body of information that may just have what we need to advance, understand or even more so… evolve.

227. When we get a chance to reflect on and share the changes we have made in our life we get to deeply appreciate how much our life has changed and the enormous commitment and dedication this took to make this to happen. So I can see how the interview not only supported the research but gave you a greater appreciation of yourself. Already the research is a winner as it has improved 2 people’s lives, you and the interviewer, who was inspired by you.

228. This really brought home to me just how important qualitative research is, mainly because it brings the fact that we are people living with other people and connecting with one another. This is life. Attempting to boil that down to a universal statistic or probability diminishes just how important this is.

229. Jennifer, reading your article has reminded me of how biased I can be at work. If there is controversy over something and there are 2 different opinions then I am aware that I will stack the evidence to back my view and disregard the evidence against. What’s my point? Simply that most of us will see what we want to see and so what we actually see is constantly being engineered by us.

230. Jennifer so what I understand now is that Qualitative research is actually where I can truly be seen, where my lived experience counts. But because we as a public have not spoken the truth of how we really are feeling, it has muddied the waters so we are left thinking the only way forward is quantitative reserach. I love how we can start to turn that back, turn things around so that our lived experience and accounts are considered important, as they are a snapshot of life.

231. It occurs to me that often in typical quantitive research the drive is to eliminate the details and focus in on as specific and narrow a point as possible. Extra information or variables are seen as messy disturbances to the equation. But what if in this incessant drive for narrowness and elimination of other information, we are actually denying ourselves great useful information that adds to the picture and therefore great wisdom? It seems to me that this is the great value of qualitative research – that it can capture a lot of the information and the details of lived experience, which gives us great wisdom and understanding.

232. In my opinion, when we limit our research to a narrow search or measurement of very specific criteria in a typical lab or research study situation, we miss out on the richness of life experiences which can really add to the data we are gathering on a particular subject or question.

233. There is indeed much talk about bias in research and an endless quest to eliminate it, but as you say is this really possible? The moment we have a particular intention to get a particular result then it becomes biased. It seems to me having a more open investigation or enquiry into a subject without wanting a particular answer is a less biased way to go.

234. Qualitative research seems to be all about observation and communication – skills and qualities that are great and fundamental elements of human relationship. And do we undervalue both qualitative research and quality human relationships because we have given up relying on what we feel, needing things logically filed and proven in our heads?

235. I’ve always preferred ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’.

236. Jennifer, one of the key things you have talked about is the intent of the research – and this plays an incredibly important part. If we approach research from the healing opportunities then whether this is quantitative or qualitative in approach, then they will both carry an inherent value. On the other hand, even if we did just a quantitative research (currenlty seen as more important in our society) but the intent was skewed (as in the intent was flavoured with money making or pushing a drug etc etc), then the value on a healing level is practically zero. Bottom line is the intent – do we have the patient’s best interests at heart and as a focus, or are we more focused on how much money or fame we can get from the research?

237. It is easy to underestimate the value of qualitative research because that is the way it has always been regarded – as something less than numerological facts and figures. But what this brings up is the very narrow view that is promoted as right about what exactly fact is. And if we were to bring in that fact is in fact the truth of what is lived, then science and research can be the greatest tool for sharing the tools of life for getting us all back to a harmonious way of living with eachother, and no longer will it be just for the kudos of any one person.

238. Brilliant article Jennifer! I love how you have talked about the importance of having both research types (qualitative and quantitiative) and that one is not lesser than the other in value. In the end as you have said, they both have a degree of subjectivity. Key in all this is the original intent of the research – what is the intent of the research? And are we keeping people’s wellbeing as the focus or do we get distracted by other issues such as money, fame etc….

239. Thank you for describing your experience Jennifer. Qualitative research feels an essential way of gathering real information from the interaction and understanding between two individuals. Statistics can easily be skewed by the researcher. Surely the most useful research is a matter of collecting data from real people and looking at trends?

240. I love your dedication and commitment to your self and your work Jennifer. You are not only an inspiration to all nurses but to people in general. The changes you have put in place in such a short time since I have known you is remarkable and a reflection of how you make life about people first.

241. To be listened to, feel heard and acknowledged and appreciated for what we bring unlocks the door to our expression. It calls us out from holding back – just in case we are dismissed or ridiculed.

242. Quantity is nothing without quality.

243. I love the way your experience of the qualitative research was that as well as gathering information that can deepen understanding about the topic, it was also offering you an opportunity as a participant in the research to deepen your own awareness and understanding. There is a great value in such honouring and carefully planned research.

244. I have noticed that many of the tests I have taken for various parts of my body, are always based on research that reduces to an average. I have been told I am within “normal” range when my body is telling me a different story; I am not a “normal” person, neither is anyone else, we are all unique, with our own physical make-up that has come from the way our body has responded to the way we have lived our lives. I know I need a regular dose of Vit B12 that needs to be maintained, by how much more energy I have when taking it, and so on. Very rarely is notice to taken of the fact that my body is ultra sensitive to medications and a low dose is necessary, my own subjective evidence is not taken into consideration when a dose is applied. I am listened to, yes, but not really believed, as I don’t fit in with the way the system works. The figures are useful, but they are not the whole picture and only guidelines. There is so much they do not reveal about the true health of the patient. Only the patient knows this.

245. I’m aware of the idea of having a ‘plan’ when it comes to birth and death… intense experiences where lots can happen and its super important to get it right and look after everyone involved in as far as we can. So it makes little sense to have no ‘plan’ for our day to day – and that is where self care, or establishing a rhythm through our day that supports us to just be ourselves is so important.

     1. What you have shared is very true Simon. Often though what is presented as self-care plans is rather box tick like..exercise..tick..good diet…tick…time out…tick, which can often leave us feeling like we don’t have enough hours in the day to do all we need to do. But our daily rhythm is super important and that in essence is a plan, but one which is gauged by the body, rather than a list to/should do’s.

246. Evaluating how peoples bodies respond to situations as well as evaluating their experiences is the best form of Science.

247. ‘And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ Bingo Jennifer, you have hit the nail on the head. The way research is conducted currently merely ensures the results do not truly support us moving forward, particularly given the result can be manipulated by the researchers intentions, interpretations and biases.

     1. Spot on Jenny, and the manipulation of the statistics and results are rife. I speak from experience in the research field, and can say that everyone pretty much plays around with the numbers so that they get the results that they want or ‘need’. Hence how can we then say this research is not biased, or that it is in the best intent of the patient? Of course not all research is lost in the miasma of self gain, and there is integrity that is held by many scientists and researchers that do hold the best intents for the patient always as a focus.

        1. There is a great deal to understand about the energetic interplay and influence of intentions when it comes to any outcome, research being one particular arena where the implications are particularly significant. If the intention of a scientist sways the result of a study in a way he or she cannot necessarily perceive, then there is a great deal that needs overhauling in the way we currently go about it. What it illuminates for me is that NO-BODY can do anything in a state of separation and expect to find TRUTH. It is just not possible… and if that simple truth were adhered to, we would evolve ourselves out of this current mess in a very short space of time.

        2. Spot on Jenny – in a state of separation, no body can do anything that brings them to truth. Yet as you have said, the moment we adhere to truth, then it is like things instantly unfold for us and we get to understand our way out of the mess we created to begin with.

        3. Yes Henrietta… and to me this highlights further the fact that part of us is not really looking for the true answers, and we know exactly how to manipulate what’s needed in order to look as though we are, but in the end, do not. Seek and ye shall find… come to mind as it is true.

248. Research in general feels like it’s about getting a clear and factual result, which can involve a bit of tunnel vision getting to that result, but what we perhaps most need is instead more understanding. We can bypass people on the journey to getting results, statistics, facts and figures, but I feel there is more to learn from talking with people, and everyone getting involved to contribute to finding out what’s needed to move forward.

249. I really enjoyed the start of your blog Jennifer, which had me feeling how important all of our expressions our. Because of your connection to yourself you were able to connect to another, which allowed so much more depth and expression between the both of you.

250. Well said Jennifer, it’s like most of life, if we go in without a picture of what we want so much more can be seen.

251. Experiential research really needs a broader focus and application. I have been part of a 17 year long qualitative research into how the way I live – eat, sleep, breathe, care for myself and think etc – affects my health and wellbeing, and how living in a certain way promotes true all-encompassing health and wellbeing. I am not the only one, there are many thousands involved in this research and the verdict is out and unanimous on this trial – our lifestyle choices do profoundly affect us and the Way of the Livingness as presented by Serge Benhayon works to promote true all-encompassing health and wellbeing. How this could possibly be denied as true and valid evidence could only come down to bias. It is time we drop our bias and penchant for personal gain and get real and honest about what we are doing and feeling.

252. Our bodies know the truth and we should never discount our own experience and knowing, this certainly provides a proof. It reminds me of a conversation I had once when someone told me it was not going to rain but I looked out of the window and it was pouring with rain – which was I to believe? The person who had read somewhere it was not raining or what I could see, feel, touch and hear ie my experience?

253. The lived scientific evidence from ones choices is significant and has a wealth and richness to this. To think that this is less because it is qualitative as opposed to quantitive is exposing on how the current systems is only prepared to look so far. Is it not important to get all aspects that are studied so we can see the full picture?

254. When we question life, with openness and uninhibited by prior agendas and points of view we can go deeper and deeper with the truth. We help and build on what each other say to the point we get to a place that would not be possible asking from ‘just me’. What you share makes me realise Jennifer, just how little ‘reserach’ is really true, fair and clear and just what a power is there if we as a race chose to start to ask questions without a sub-text.

255. The human ingredient is very important in our world of research today. Figures may produce a certain realm of information about humanity, but it is the human to human interaction that nourishes us most, fills in the details, provides inspiration. To me I cannot see how any research has any validity without the qualitative data to support it. We are fascinating beings and between us have a wealth of wisdom to share. To me statistics seem to slice us up in to thin slithers of information while qualitative research is able to focus on the bigger picture, on all of us.

256. This is such an important point to get isn’t it: “I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better that anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression… ” And every time we hold back and do not express, we do our selves as well as all others a disservice as no one then can benefit from that which needed to be expressed. Great sharing Jennifer, thank you.

257. “Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture? I feel there is.”- I do too Jennifer.
     Research could be more beneficial to all if the intention was not based on needing a specific result, getting recognition or financial gain.

258. In my view the quality and intent of those who plan and exercise the research has more bearing on the true value of the research, than the type of research used. When the research is “based on a true foundation of understanding and an intention to see the bigger picture” it will give value to everyone, the researcher, those taking part and humanity. Different types of research are suited for different scenarios as stated in the article, and “subjective evidence of real people with real experiences” in my books has a valuable place in our quest to deepen our understanding and see the bigger picture.

259. “Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture?” I feel so too. I loved the spaciousness that could be felt as you described the qualitative approach of the interview you had. What a great opportunity to share your self caring/loving choices and also to appreciate how far you have come. The richness of dialogue with real people.

260. Reading about qualitative research with its reduced emphasis on figures and more on personal experience feels a great step forward. Empirical evidence with observation at its core – rather than controlled trials – is not usually valued in the general scientific community. Having investigated some controlled trials I discovered sometimes the outcome depends on who funds them. Surely there is a place for both qualitative and quantitative research in today’s society.

261. Jennifer, you clearly were an expert in the questions they asked you. Rather than your insights being worked through and interpreted by the researchers, have you considered that other people will respond equally positively to your substantial and valuable insights and understanding?

262. What stood out for me in this description of qualitative research was the richness of the exchange between interviewer and interviewee. I can only imagine that the ‘data’ and themes collected were just as valuable as the connection developed.

263. The benefit of qualitative research to our own understanding of self can be quite something. I know from my own experiences that being able to talk through something often brings a fresh perspective on the subject at hand. So it may be that such research Jennifer opened up your perspective of nursing. That is the value in humanising research, the benefits go beyond the results and heighten the expression of the participants. Life is about expression and I feel that is why I value this method of research so highly.

264. This blog shows just how off beat research has become. When we focus on only counting results from a contracted situation the results can change simply because they are being studied. Gathering the accounts of experiences by people however will always reflect what is happening for them.

265. Approaching research from the healing opportunities as you offer here Jennifer feels so much truer to who we are and what can support us all. Looking at the whole picture, not a limited view, is much more real and honouring of ourselves and brings a light to research and statistics and would support a true knowing of what is going on.
     “if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.”

266. ‘Perhaps if we approached research from the healing opportunities (healing in the broadest meaning of the word), that are potentially available to both participants and researchers equally, rather than being driven for a result (whether it be finding a cure, getting a name or reputation or financial gain), research would be more meaningful to everyone in the community…’

     This paragraph really got me considering that research itself can be a powerful healing opportunity – not being led by a goal or endpoints – but opportunities to reflect and expand on understanding, collaboration and working together. Patients informing the research and treatment responding accordingly. No-one ends up a number, but everyone has a bespoke approach to what works for their body, their history, their needs.

267. We have so much to learn from each other, the indepth answers available from these scenarios are so valuable.

268. I love what you have said about the objective/valid, subjective/unreliable divide…a divide that only exists in the minds of men.
     The most truly objective people I know, know themselves deeply…for if there is objectivity in this world that is where it starts, in knowing ourselves in full.
     When we remain ignorant of what drives us, we can call ourselves ‘objective’ as much as we like. The fact is that we are fooling ourselves. We are susceptible to influences that do not trigger our awareness, and are swept hither and yon by ideas and thoughts, completely unaware of just how influenced and subjective we are.
     To have these discussions will herald the much needed evolution that humanity is calling for in science.

     1. I was wondering if the word objective is related to the word observe? For its not until we truly begin to observe as opposed to absorbing everything around us, that we begin to see the truth of what the world is made of and what’s truly going on.

269. ‘Is there in reality any more bias with a relationship between people based on a true foundation of understanding and an intention to see the bigger picture? Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture? I feel there is.’ And you have made this very clear by describing the space you were given in the interview, this does not reduce you and what you were bringing to the research.

270. What I get from your blog is how very rare it is for us to connect with each other with absolutely zero agenda or pre-conception. Do I come to a conversation or connection genuinely open to whatever might happen – or have I already pre-seeded an outcome? Am I needing something from the interaction? Am I being totally and utterly transparent? That to me is the key – transparency. Thank you for bringing this to me – there is a ginormous amount to be seen in what you have shared.

271. What a beautiful and meaningful contribution you made to this research project Jennifer. The connection you made with your interviewer sounded and felt like a blessing for both of you; two people working harmoniously together for a common purpose, how inspiring.

272. It is awesome that Self-Care is being studied, as it is so much more than a hot bath and an early night to bed. It has transformed my life and consequently this has had an effect on all others around me. What has shifted in my awareness is the fact that Self-Care of me is actually not just for me, but also for humanity in all its forms. Here lies the exponential effect that Self-Care has and why it is a science, art and religion wrapped up as one.

273. This blog reminds me time and time again that true study comes from getting to know people and their experiences of the topic. I often wonder why testing and studies take so long… maybe the simple ingredient is missing… connection.

274. Jennifer you cover so much in this one blog and I totally agree with you that the research that comes from subjective research would absolutely be a sharing for all and what it is based on is lived experiences. When we truly understand each other and ourselves we can actually learn and discover a lot.

275. Jen, how delightful to actually participate in a study and not just be a number or read about what the experiments with rats told us! Getting to the answers involves actually talking to people and really listening, your experience highlighted to me that this is what is most missing in research. Even if numbers tell us something, what’s the point if we are not listening to people? For example we have lots of numbers on obesity globally but there is not a clear way forward as to how to tackle it, perhaps because we are not talking to people and finding out what is truly going on for them.

276. The word ‘bias’ has just struck me as to its true meaning… ‘Bi’ meaning ‘two’ indicates here that there are two sides, two views, two opinions etc. Could it be that when we truly take the time to connect with and listen to another, rather than these being opposing viewpoints, it is showing us that ‘two halves make a whole’. That is, by examining both sides of the coin a one unified truth can be reached and this is simply the Whole we have departed from when we see ourselves divided. Therefore, connection (bringing the two halves into harmony) is the key to all research that truly wants to arrive at a truth most of us have left behind. The alternative to this is to have an extremely one sided viewpoint which ironically, is what we fear when we use the term ‘bias’, so in its place we construct ‘objective’ research methods that essentially leave a whole chunk behind – the human bit!

     1. What this means Liane is that the researcher becomes an active participant in the process. Thus they are changed by the process of the research and by their interaction with the “subject”.
        The great illusion in science is that of the objective observer that stands stationary as all happens around them.
        Sorry but this is not possible, for we are constantly interacting with all life, and every single of aspect is under the pull of evolution. To imagine that anything can remain unchanged in this life is utter self delusion. How rich would science become if this was universally acknowledged?

        1. What you have shared Rachel is exactly what happened in this process. Both myself and the person who was the researcher have been greatly enriched and changed by the experience.

277. I have seen statistics quoted that the large majority of research efforts, where researchers collect quantitative data (numbers) is wasted. Would it be worthwhile for researchers to do more qualitative research beforehand to get a better awareness and understanding of the issues?

278. You raise some great and valid points here Jennifer and what it reveals to me is that our fear of bias is a reflection of the lack of trust we have in human connection. All of us at some stage in our lives have been hurt by another, or so it seems, and we use this hurt to colour our perception of the way things are and as an excuse to live a vastly reduced life where we shrink ourselves behind the protective walls we create to stop us truly connecting to each other. It is from these self created fortresses that we declare that only something ‘objective’ (void of human connection) can be true, when the reality is it is only through our openness to each other that we can arrive at the truth we so desperately search for and each carry deep within.

279. It’s amazing how our quality and presence with another when listening to them talk can support them to appreciate their expression more and with that express more fully and truly.

     1. If we truly listen to each other we will hear the sound of God, the place where all truth resides.

280. I agree wholeheartedly Jennifer. We are in truth all our own researchers, constantly assessing and evaluating what makes sense to us in our lives, what works and what doesn’t in bringing harmony to our day. This in itself reveals the importance of subjective evidence when it comes to research, and for as long as reluctance to use subjective evidence in research projects continues, we are missing a huge potential to gain meaningful results that can support humanity to evolve.

281. I love what you were able to bring to this research project, Jennifer. I could feel the connection that you made with the researcher, and just how supportive it was for you both to have this interaction with each other. Often I find that through speaking with someone about things I may do or choices that I make helps me to appreciate that there are things in my life that are not very common, but are so supportive.

282. Through this blog I could really feel the illusion behind the quest for no bias in science. Attempting to remove the ‘human factor’ from our observations, and yet while still remaining human, feels like the finger trying to point at itself, while ignoring that it is a finger. To me science is about us and our relationship with the world that we live in. We are all unique in how we express that relationship, so trying to wheedle down our expression and experience to a common set of statistics diminishes just how much is actually on offer through the diversity of the quality of our choices and lives we live.

283. Jennifer we are so caught up in the fact we need to do everything faster, bigger, better that we’ve forgotten the importance of relationships. When I look at studies or surveys my experience has been to make them bigger (i.e. have more people) and faster (so people will fill them in). Yet the power in your sharing has been the relationship with the person that interviewed you, it goes completely against what most reserach tries to achieve – yet in that both you and the person conducting the interview have clearly gained a great deal, a new relationship and there is no doubt that the care taken will deliver gems for those running the study.

284. To understand and appreciate that what we have to say is important and completes the expressions of others, is so valuable. The world does not feel complete because mainly we are not true to ourselves and our expression and we compare ourselves to others, trying to live up to something they clearly are not. We all miss out if just one of us holds back and it is time we start building the appreciation for the unique part each of us plays.

285. Hello Jennifer and it’s interesting on what you are saying about research and relationships. As you are saying with ‘bias’ it is unfortunate we have allowed the ‘research’ model to become far from any research and more of a result driven machine. I would say your interaction at least brings a small stop to this process. I agree with this also going forward for people and any research or researcher, “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.”

286. Jennifer, I really enjoyed reading your sharing. It feels like that your interview session was like one big healing – a real connection and meeting between two people. The way your researcher interviewed you is really amazing – in a very delicate way and so much appreciation between the two of you. I love it. It would be great to have such a quality in every meeting of the day.

287. Great blog, Jennifer. As I was reading about your experience with the interviewer it reminded me of an experience I recently had while completing a university report. A friend came to stay who works as a school teacher, and she offered to review and edit my report. We sat down and worked through it together. During this, she asked questions about what I had written, clarifying what point I was making, and general edit suggestions. Each time she brought something up I was able to share with her what I was saying, what I felt, and where it had come from. Deepening her understanding and mine of what was being presented in my report. I felt the same as you did, the more we spoke and explored, the deeper the report went. Until finally it was complete and so much more than it was at the beginning of our review and editing connection.

288. We can never escape bias, even the most ‘clinical’ of trials will always have a bias, such is the nature of our enquiry and questioning, our want to see the world from a particular angle. Qualitative research brings a richness to life and allows the subject of the research the opportunity to offer us something new, unexpected and as such fill in the gaps in our questioning and our experience, to provide the ‘why’ and therefore build a relationship with the numbers.

289. It is through our connection with others that we will discover all that we need to know about ourselves as a Humanity, and what is needed for us to move onwards and evolve. As every single one of us holds within the wisdom and truth of our universe, if we are willing to explore it.

290. Jennifer I really loved reading this. The interview you had sounded like it had elements of basic counselling where you’re asked open questions and have your answers reflected back. Such a simple way brings great confirmation and clarity, opening up the floor for people to really go so much deeper with their reflections and experience bringing to it greater depth than any closed questions could bring.

     I’m wondering how we can bring this to ourselves – so rather than confine our actions to, ‘are they bringing x result?’, asking how else does, say going to bed early, support?

291. Great article Jennifer. There is much to be discovered when we study the quality of how people live their lives, through their lived experience. This is where living evidence or results cannot be argued and are a living representation of humanity, through which we can truly understand more how we as a whole can improve our health, well-being and vitality.

292. A marriage between qualitative and quantitative research seems like the obvious answer, qualitative being equally necessary as the meat in the sandwich, without which you just get dry bread.

293. We are a society that wants proof before we will accept or believe in what we are given, yet at the same time we like to go along with what ever the latest research has just come up with as long as it suits what we want from it, or we tend to ignore it. What you present here Jennifer changes the way we look at research and brings it back to personal experience rather than relying on statistics.

294. I love this Jennifer, I have just completed an analysis of a quantitive research study that was looking at implementing strategies to support patients with high risk type 2 diabetes and cardio vascular disease. The implementation didn’t have any statistical relevance and you could see so clearly they needed to go and do further qualitative research to ask people why it hadn’t worked because on the surface it should have been perfect! But we can’t put people in boxes, they are not like drugs, we are not black and white. For me, I would say the qualitative research adds the technicolour back to the black and white and should be highly valued – even work together!

295. Your blog poses an excellent question Jennifer – why are numbers more ‘evidential’ and ‘valid’ than the written experiences and feelings of humanity? Could it be that there is a way to distance ourselves from a number, and although statistics can be shocking they can still feel quite hard to grasp, but on the other hand first hand accounts of what the world is like today are more difficult to ignore – they make us see the whole picture on a very personal level, and thus we cannot avoid realising the current state of our society and how this is impacting our 7.4 billion population.

296. Oh yes Elizabeth – the power of teamwork! There is huge potential in this collaboration in research, if we can set aside our personal agendas and desired outcomes.

     1. This has already started Elizabeth! There are so many studies, so much research that isn’t working they are realising they have to go to the people to understand why. to get an idea of what their experience is so they can change processes if necessary. I hope this partnership keeps building.

297. What a brilliant ground breaking article about research, our attitude towards it and the opportunities available to really study and understand aspects of our lives, when we communicate openly and honestly and listen attentively and without pre-judgment.

298. Jennifer I feel you are on the right track concerning research, and by connecting to the personal experiences of people rather than the outcome the researcher wants, the results will be more honest and beneficial to those who need it.

299. Thought provoking blog Jennifer. Often I have found that research is limited by the aim or the goal right from the start, rather than being fully open to allow for any and all possibilities, i.e. you are trying to prove or disprove something, but what if there is something greater that you are missing out on?

     1. Thanks Jane – the problem is when it is funded research trying to prove a point or an outcome. The more we see ourselves as science experiments the more relevance we will be able to bring to studies. There is no one box fits all scenario, so no magic 1 pill wonders either!

300. Absolutely Jennifer, how better to understand a subject than to do the research in the field. VW’s field test failed miserably from the in-house bench test! As you state! “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.”

301. This is an interesting blog Jennifer. I have often wondered how research is used, and not particularly wanted to take part in it. If the research takes into account those who have experienced the subject of the research then I am all for it, especially if it is used for change to benefit humanity.

302. There’s a superiority complex that can come with quantitative research as being of more value than qualitative research yet it wouldn’t be right that have a world without one or the other. Both have an equal role when carried out to truly serve the wellbeing of humanity.

     1. Yes I agree, both have a role and the challenge is to be open to the evolution of seeing a way that hasn’t worked, hasn’t given us the full picture and evolve to ensure we return to a simpler way where we capture the essence of what we are seeking to understand by being open to humanity and its experiences.

303. Research that truly serves humanity cannot be about recognition or academic prestige. Too often, self-driven identity gets in the way of the focus on the ‘all’.

     1. Yes Annie, a tick box approach to climbing the corporate ladder.

304. There are times in life where I have wanted to make everything outside of me the cause of what is happening in my life – in fact I know there is an ongoing attraction for me to sit in that. This is huge throughout society. But there are some like those conducting the qualitative research that are interested in deepening our understanding about our personal interaction with life. I for one am all for it and feel it is a great step to reclaiming our personal power and responsibility in life.

305. Jennifer the connection between the two of you came through really powerfully. I could not help but feel how enjoyable it became for you, and so alive.

306. Great question, “Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture?” Absolutely yes, yet the scientific world continue to look at their pieces through typically very narrow lenses. What you have called out here is so very true Jennifer, that there is so much more that can be considered when bias is not involved.

307. Susan having been receiving feedback on a new product I find the qualitative research brings the full picture and whilst it may take a little more time to pull together the richness of what is shared is invaluable. The same with life, our health and the way we live a tick box doesn’t cut it alone.

308. If we were studying and evaluating the physical performance of a machine, an approach based on purely quantitative research would make sense. We could measure the exhaust, measure the quality of the fuel, observe the mechanics, take measurements etc. But the human being is not just a machine, and whilst ever we try to limit our understanding of the mechanics of the human body purely based on objective analysis whilst ignoring what qualitative research will bring, then we will limit our capacity to understand what is truly going on. After all – yes – we can observe the physical and chemical processes that take place when someone is in anxiety. But what we have to sit back and ask is, did those chemical processes take place by themselves, or were they actually triggered by consciousness. After all, without consciousness, the human being does not exist, and ALL chemical processes in the body that we associate with living cease to be when the consciousness leaves the body – we call that death.

309. For research to be true it has to be untrammelled by financial or ideological bias, and this is exactly what is being revealed here… Thank you Jennifer.

310. Brilliantly said Jennifer – “Even with the most ‘objective’ research, the observations are made by people, who are capable of making mistakes and actively or subconsciously bringing bias to their findings. These same scientists can look with scorn on so-called ‘subjective’ research, in denial of the fact that all research has subjectivity at its heart.” – This is fact that seems to be ignored or denied in many cases, to the detriment of true quality research.

     1. And not having quality research leaves us insecure about the validity of the result.

     2. Objective research is unable to distance itself from the intent of the research. No amounts of safeguards and procedures can eliminate intent and therefore what is called ‘bias’ in statistics.

        1. Nailed Christoph, the seemingly objective of a double blind quantitative research holds all the intentions and agendas of the researcher and whoever funds it.

        2. So true Christoph. I am learning so much about research and bias is everywhere. To have an area of interest you immediately have a bias because you have a research question, therefore you are already considering the outcome before you have started the research. Even if it is a yes no question, very black and white, the source of the funding might well interpret the findings in a way that supports its application for approval, otherwise it is wasted money. Quantitive research is not cheap to do, so there might well be a need to justify the investment.

311. Research is an ongoing thing in this world but how it is done and the ability to be ourselves real and from a broadness of where we truly come from makes all the difference and allows a true understanding and brings a reality to our lives so much needed .

312. It is very lovely reading about a proper open and caring qualitative research being carried out. The great thing about such research is that instead of making the scientists and some remote calculation the authority, each individual is honoured as the authority that they are of feeling and expressing their own experience. This does far more than just gather information, it brings power and responsibility back to where it truly belongs.

     1. Indeed Golnaz each of us is an authority related to our lived experience, and qualitative research offers the opportunity to capture that. Maybe in a fuller way than quantitative research, where the answers or numbers may reduce the richness of what information we have to share.

313. Reality or Potential:

     Qualitative research – discovering our divine qualities and seeking ways to make them a livingness; spacious; open; timeless; multidimensional

     Quantitative research – measuring percentages; temporal; relative; pragmatic; seeking solutions; bound to time; calculated outcomes; third-dimensional – supporting the human frame

     1. Even reading these words, my body feels the difference and knows which one it would choose day in day out.

     2. Well said Alex, it makes it very clear the way you have explained the differences between qualitative and quantitative research. One feels very expansive, open and allows for flexibility, the other feels restrictive, imposing and inflexible.

        1. I don´t consider quantitative research as bad or unnecessary, it is valuable on many practical levels and can serve us well, but without the bigger picture, an all-encompassing understanding of life it becomes a dogma that reduces us to being just human.

        2. It is the interpretation of these quantitative results where the truth starts to diminish or completely disappear.

     3. Well said Alex, there is such a difference between the 2. And they both have their place, depending on what is needed. The key I feel is not to ignore the qualitative research.

314. Whilst the subject of the research was ‘self-care’ there is a lovely sense from what is shared here of the power of real communication, expression, being listened to, connecting with another person etc. Perhaps this project can reveal a deeper healing in the power of self-expression whilst in the process of gathering its qualitative reflections about self-care.

315. Research has always been one of those things I have baulked at – feeling the limitations therein, the conscious or unconscious bias that is sometimes present, the desire to support a preconceived outcome etc. But I love what you share here Jennifer Smith – and your last line says much to me – about how true research can serve everyone equally, which surely is its true intention.

     1. I agree, Richard. I have always been super cynical about research and any underlying bias/agenda and therefore dismissed its validity. Jennifer’s article re-establishes the value of research when it is conducted with such integrity and honesty.

     2. True, but there is always bias from what I can see, either ours or theirs. It takes practice to present our experiences without trying to persuade, so in the qualitative interviews and research the bias can come through both parties. Like anything else this can be to suit a personal, political or financial agenda but, in time, perhaps it will bring back the much undervalued and under-practiced quality of integrity. It takes practice to see where the biases lie hidden, in my experience.

316. It’s the connection of the two of you that sets the energetic foundation for this research being beneficial for all.

     1. Well said Felix, I got that really strongly as well.

317. You’ve started a very needed conversation here, Jennifer and introduced an element into the research discussion that is generally not seen in contemporary research – the healing potential of the research.

     In addition to research having the potential to offer healing to the participant as well as the researcher, research, conducted for the purpose of seeking truth with no investment in what that truth may be, can also heal the populations of people it seeks to examine and those who benefit through dissemination of the findings.

     1. Thank you for this katemarony1, I so agree, it is a gift isn’t it. There is no doubt that talking about an experience can let the experience go from our bodies. I love that qualitative researchers have the opportunity to use their skills to represent humanity, it seems to me that when you work in research, with stats and numbers, it can be hard to remember the equality and value of human experience, that you are part of that too, it is simply the skill that can be applied to represent those who do not have a voice as this blog so beautifully illustrates.

318. Jen you make an interesting point here. Whenever I respond to a quantitative research questionnaire, I feel how there are times when I feel boxed in or corralled by the line of questioning, and I’ve always felt the limitation and therefore the potential to come to a conclusion that is incorrect when the question is about people. As you have shown, everything shifts and changes, even with the process, so at best all data is a capture of a moment in time.

319. In a way we are constantly researching, using ourselves as the subject, we are our own scientific experiment as we explore what happens when we eat certain foods, the reactions we get when we say something, the way we feel when something happens. We have much to learn as we develop our self awareness.

     1. I agree Carmel, I had an experience recently when I was voicing my displeasure about a person I know and during what we would call a normal conversation between friends I could feel how my chest and breathing changed. Even the slightest negative talk about someone else can register in our bodies and teach us to be more loving. Like you have written ‘we have much to learn as we develop our self awareness’.

     2. It is nice to feel like we value our own experience enough to see ourselves as a living science.

        1. It is important to consider as you highlighted Joel that we are a living science, just as all of nature offers a great insight into the natural order and laws that we also must abide by.

        2. Yes! Our human body most certainly is Living Science that can be described and understood through qualitative research.

        3. It is funny that we try to break the body down into its chemical elements and measure minerals and blood chemistry and take these hard numbers as the state of the body, yet pay less attention to what people say and feel… the combination of the two seems critical to understanding.

     3. Thank you, Carmel. This takes all the mystery and fear out of research – which is basically reflection and understanding. Not simply the remit of academics but a responsibility we can all embrace if we are open to learning about ourselves, life and how we all relate.

     4. We are Carmel, and as such we must trust the research we do and use it as a foundation for further research and to make informed decisions.

320. Jennifer, I love how you have brought in the healing aspect of research. The valuable experience of people can be shared far and wide through research publications, the effects of which are immense. The healing begins with two and the sharing of these findings when based on true health and wellbeing of people is life changing.

     1. Vicky I agree that these ‘research’ conversations have huge potential to further our understanding and development both as individuals and as a collective. Every time I engage in a conversation that has depth I learn something new about myself or another, and therefore about expanding the possibilities of what is possible. Reading these blogs and comments has a similar effect!

     2. Yes Vicky, when undertaken with the intention of seeking truth and eventually making true healing available through the findings of the research, all who participate in the research along the way have the opportunity of healing.

     3. True research is like true journalism. I love the curiosity and wonderment in this sharing of qualitative Research. It is indeed very healing as through these interviews people get the experience to be truly listened to, which leads in itself to more self-worth. We’re so desperate to be heard. This way of researching not only hears people, but is adding an attitude of a willingness to learn from the lived life and wisdom that’s being shared. Wow, wow, wow!!!

        1. True research = true journalism. I like that Floris. When there is not a reductionist approach but genuine enquiry and an openness and to what unfolds, the outcomes can truly serve humanity.

        2. Indeed wow! a form of research that does not seek to disprove or prove a predetermined hypothesis, rather capture the themes and patterns of a certain issue in humanity.

        3. That’s very True Annie. And what I love about it, is that this is not a doing per sé. Of course the doing is part of it, but the serving comes naturally from the willingness to connect. And True connection comes from surrendering to one’s self. With the Purpose to serve Humanity. And all that unfolds will then naturally support humanity. Simply because the energy comes from the healing source – the heart!

        4. Dear Jenny, what I got from your comment is the fact that we are Humanity. Simply because we’re sharing our experiences in life on any subject, we’re voicing Humanity as we are Humanity. To me this is lovely to become aware of as I can see myself not as part of the whole. Where I am part of the whole and if I share me, I’m actually sharing as part of the whole. How Beautiful is that!

     4. So true Vicky, research can offer healing in the sense of informing us what is actually happening in a situation. However the purpose needs to benefit humanity and not reduce what is there to be observed and understood.

     5. ‘The healing begins with two’ and in this article the ripple effect of Jennifer and the researcher’s interview is apparent.

321. I feel there is a lot to learn for us all by studying people who are living a truly well, vital, joyful life. This cannot be put into figures and statistics, this needs to be talked about in an interview like you did or just in an observation of how someone lives. I always learn a lot more from someone who has a lived experience and seeing them doing it or talking about it with them than just from the textbooks alone.

     1. There have been scientific studies about the physical analysis of mass produced food and organically grown. And the findings were, there is no difference. So, why does it taste better? Can observation be distilled in a lab in a test tube? There are things that science can’t measure yet. The lack of proof doesn’t mean as you have said Lieke, measuring a joyful life is a lived experience that only needs observation to validate its existence.

        1. That is true Steve. Science cannot measure everything. Our body is our living science experiment and if we put published research to the test by listening to our bodies, I believe we would all be better off health-wise.

     2. Yes Lieke, its the same for me, when I was studying I would find it so hard to take in stats on a page, but give me a story, someone’s lived experience and it would stick to me like glue. I just really value that kind of research, where thoughts, feelings and experiences matter.

        1. Your comment Stephen makes me appreciate what it is that really matters to us. Attempting to relate to facts and figures on a page can be such hard work, because although they “inform” us there is nothing for our hearts to connect to, they feel devoid of the human touch. When we present a person’s lived experience, something that has an expression, a journey and an outcome that contributes towards the figures of quantitative research, it enables us to connect to the real purpose behind all research, which is ultimately to understand ourselves and one another on a deeper level. When we share ourselves, we are opening our hearts to one another and in doing so our ability to learn naturally expands because the information imparted is multi-dimensional as opposed to the rather flat and lifeless two dimensional nature of a number on a page.

        2. “Nothing for our hearts to connect to” so true Rowena, that is what I am looking for, you have hit the nail on the head. To be looking for that connection and ability to understand is so important, and for me figures just don’t tell me the story of what is really going on and the lives that are really being lived.

     3. Lieke, I am with you here. There is much to learn from observing and talking to people, communities, health and social welfare organisations. I also gain more from being with people who have transformed their lives or organisations, than from books. Equally, qualitative research has a place, especially when it shares good practice and exposes bad.

        1. It’s true Jane there is value in both and qualitative and quantitative research, both need to be considered as part of the whole. The question often is: how far does research evidence lead to change? Much easier to know what the problems are, than transform the way things are done and quality of people’s lives.

        2. Yes very beautiful Kehinde and Jane. Qualitative and quantitative research do have their place. At the moment though there is an inbalance and mistrust in just listening to our feelings and our feel for common sense. Even if a research reveals that for instance drinking alcohol is good for our health, we only have to look at all the abuse and harm alcohol causes, that we should not validate that research with the authority of our lived experience. Maybe even not need to research it in the first place!

        3. Absolutely Lieke, we are overloaded with research findings and recommendations. More energy could be directed to support true change by people to taking responsibility for their own health.

     4. I completely agree with you Lieke that we learn so much from people’s lived experience. Through that shared experience we can gain so much insight and inspiration of what is, or is not, supportive in developing and living a joyful and harmonious life for oneself and others.

     5. It is the experience of life that engages us I agree Lieke. It is vital that we study, interview and observe everyone who is truly living a vital life, robust in health, consistent and steady in nature. I too find I learn a great deal more when a person shares their own experience and lifestyle choices, so much information can be imparted on many levels, the verbal, physical, emotional and mental. It is a far more engaging and successful way to learn than reading a text book.

     6. I agree Lieke, it cannot be done via a tick box.

322. That is the difference between a living truth and statistical evidence. Both have their value, but just one has a constantly evolving relationship with life, encompassing all factors at every moment.

323. Qualitative research is about connection to the human experience and this can expand into beautiful revelations and a lot of joy between the researcher and participants when this process naturally unfolds. Your experience, Jen has highlighted this.

     1. Yes that is the beauty about qualitative research – opens and connection to humanity.

     2. Well said Anne, for me it narrows science and research considerably and even to the point of being useless if there is no joy left in the researcher and participants.

324. In order that we may have a rounded and more encompassing understanding of life it feels as though we should not exclude qualitative research but allow it to sit beside quantitative research to gain the whole picture. The connection that you made with the researcher feels like a valuable part of the process – we all needed to be open to listening and and sharing and in this way we are better placed to find the truth.

     1. Qualitative research is a vital first step to then decide which numbers (quantities) to look for and it is a step that is often far too short or even non-existent in research. Clinicians and statisticians need to talk about what is important to measure – this is received scientific wisdom.

        Asking patients as well may just be worthwhile…

        1. Asking patients seems essential in my book Christoph. Maybe I am too naive but I wonder why qualitative research is not more commonly undertaken. Surely if we are to truly study an issue or problem, finding out more about the problem first as you suggest is a sensible thing to do. Every single person whether they actually know it or not is a natural scientist and we are a wealth of walking experiments with bodies that cannot help but reflect the results. We are sitting on a gold mine of first hand experiences that can be elicited on a very low research budget. Surely that must be a very good reason to make qualitative research a very valuable research proposition.

325. Jen great blog. I recently read a report very different to the norm, and the reason….it was based on qualitative research, that observed, questioned and listened to thousands of old people, families, carers, and managers. I can only imagine how how it must have felt for those interviewed to be talked and listened to, probably for the first time about their experiences. The final report left the reader in no doubt of the poor standard of care and quality of life experienced by many old people living in residential care homes. The report’s quality, openness and honesty was such, I wrote to its author to thank her and show my appreciation. Her response was simple, she ‘wanted to give old people a voice they so rarely have’ as a foundation for transforming the way old people are treated and cared for.

     1. kehinde2012 the researcher is demonstrating a wonderful use of research funding because it enables us to truly understand the experience of the residents. Only with understanding can we truly make balanced choices.

        1. Wonderful kehinde2012, this is what research should be about.

     2. I recently spent a couple of weeks working as a support care worker in the community and I was surprised and alarmed at how little time is allocated to offer true care and connection. It also seems that many of the old people accepted this as the way it is. It is heart warming to read that this is being looked into in a real way and some are having a chance to express their experiences. Thank you Kehinde.

     3. Kehinde this is gorgeous to read “I wrote to its author to thank her and show my appreciation. Her response was simple, she ‘wanted to give old people a voice they so rarely have’ as a foundation for transforming the way old people are treated and cared for.” A perfect example of the power of qualitative research – giving people a voice to say what they themselves wish to have heard.

        1. I can imagine she didn’t get many emails like that – so wonderful to share appreciation with a researcher.

326. “…What felt so exquisite about my involvement was that through being deeply heard and understood…” the attention to detail and intent to really understand indicates the richness qualitative research offers, and highlights its valuable contribution to the expansion of current understanding.

327. Awesome blog Jen, thank you. The depth of understanding that qualitative research offers, is very valuable especially when the information is used to develop programs and resources for community groups. For it to be compared as less in value than quantitive research is, I feel, like only having one arm instead of two. Both types of research are important.

328. Reading your article it occurred to me that market research, which is used to understand people’s motivations and how to sell concepts and goods to people, utilises subjective research regularly and it is an industry that is highly results driven and let’s face it some marketing campaigns have been extremely successful – it is as you have shared an amazing way to gather really useful research and information.

329. I had never heard of Qualitative research and by your description of it, it seems very effective.

330. KNOW THYSELF.
     Both, objective and subjective science are valuable. Both need to know their strength and their limitations, then they serve their purpose for the benefit of all. Not knowing one´s strength and limitations inevitably leads to arbitrariness and despotism.

331. “Is there potentially more bias when we see things from a limited and narrow view and therefore do not consider the whole picture?” – what a valid point you make here, Jennifer. What if we consider a view that limits the scope of life to be biased due to the very rules and principles that define it as non-biased? What is really left of an observed object when it is separated from its natural context? Science in that sense has no aspiration to find truth but gathers information we then can benefit from in many ways and we shouldn´t dismiss that in any form, but neither should objective science dismiss the information and at times crucial truths only subjective science can deliver.

332. The logical that one type of research is superior to the other is like comparing apples to oranges. You make a great point that if you wanted to make the argument that everything is biased this wouldn’t be a hard feat to achieve.

333. I suppose that,fundamentally, all research is basically about people. So why not make the voices of people heard in the research study? No matter how long or intricate that study may be, isn’t it always worth starting with the fact that people matter?
     This is such a great blog to start a very valuable and well needed discussion.

334. Research is important and needs to be both qualitative and quantitative. That way we can have a comprehensive understanding and not miss out on getting important information that reveals more of the truth.

335. I wonder whether the reluctance to validate qualitative data in the same way as quantitative is that in doing so we then really need to acknowledge the lack of intelligence in so many of our structures and systems. Such things are not hidden away in the qualitative answers we gain.

336. We all have a wealth of experience we can contribute towards qualitative research. It feels like the preference for the quantitative method is down to the fact that researchers have an outcome in mind before it even starts.

337. I find it really interesting that by being deeply heard and understood we have a key to feeling the value in one’s own expression, and that when we express in this way, not only is what we contribute important, but that it is a unique part of the whole expression of this field of work.

338. I normally run a mile when it comes to research surveys. Often the questions asked narrow down what you can express and it feels restricting. What you describe Jennifer sounds like it was fun. Our own experiences do matter, but it seems this is not valued by the research profession. We all know how easy it is to manipulate numbers, but we can still fall for the findings and not be discerning.

339. I can feel that the qualitative research you were involved in really treated and validated you as a person rather than just being a tick in a box or a dot on a graph.

340. Interesting that the 2 types of research are judged against each other and one found wanting by the scientific establishment when they both contribute to different parts of the picture, firstly gathering some larger population raw data and then filling in the details by asking more in depth questions. Both are essential to gather a rounded picture but both need to be monitored for bias and when dealing with people and how they live their lives it feels essential to me to put the human experience at the centre of any research rather than reducing it just to numbers on a page.

341. Thanks Jennifer, you really helped me change how I feel about research and surveys, as the words for me immediately bring up thoughts of boredom and yawning and staring out of windows. You have made it clear that there are so many different factors that can make it interesting and so much more worth while. Subject matter and the connection with the surveyor being two very important factors.

342. Love what you say here Jane, research is about deepening our understanding of our world today and not to gain something or to make profit out of situations. Research is about people and it has to be done with connecting and listening to people.

343. Quantitative research is all about; Figures don’t lie, but liars figure. But we are not numbers. How can it compare to the quality of information you offered in your interview, ever by just numbers?

344. Reading your article it occurred to me that market research which is used to understand people’s motivations and how to sell concepts and goods to people utilises subjective research regularly and it is an industry that is highly results driven and let’s face it some marketing campaigns have been extremely successful – it is as you have shared, an amazing way to gather really useful research and information.

345. This sounds gorgeous how you care for yourself and the interview. Self care surveys should be brought into all work places 💕

346. Jen this was so beautiful to read! I love how there was time given for the quality of your interview, and it seems like the researcher didn’t place any limits on what could be expressed, what an amazing study! Usually when I think of research I have a picture of a researcher who will ask the necessary questions, and then say “see ya later”. The connection you developed sounds so amazing and would have brought a whole new level to the research, this quality is something that is missing in healthcare and would really benefit the system to have.

     1. It’s true harryjwhite, this quality is so often missing and would benefit us all. By actually allowing time for the conversation to evolve naturally, the researcher actually said yes to the truth and finding and then presenting what would really help others. There is much for us all to learn from this.

     2. I completely agree Harry. I can also feel that there’s a certain scepticism in me that this can’t be True. But the Truth is I actually feel that this is actually normal. Even though I might not have experienced it this way in this life, I can feel so much Joy in connecting and appreciating each other in the two different roles. Interviewing as an honouring and service towards the one who’s being interviewed to share their Wisdom in order to share that Wisdom with so many others. True Journalism I would say. The world upside down and for everybody it takes off the pressure and in that brings back the Joy! Togetherness, Union:-).

347. Agreed Gill – to dismiss this as not evidence is to dismiss the validity of people’s feelings and experiences – to under value what they have to say and the wisdom and insights they can share. What are we doing when we dismiss this type of research and the people that take part in it?

348. I have always totally agreed with your observation here Jennifer. I have never understood why feelings have always been so dismissed and seen as irrelevant and that only “cold hard facts” are considered worthy of consideration, or scientific investigation! Feelings are valid and incredibly important as how we relate to them, acknowledge them or override them underpin our overall health and mental well being. They are absolutely worthy of research and vital to take note of!

349. Why do we not value the experience of one person? If one person shares the changes going to bed when there body is tired has made in their life, do we really need to have it backed up by a certain amount of other people experiencing the same changes before we accept it or sit up and take notice? Yes, I can see the value in quantitative research, but there is so much we miss when we take a narrow focus as Jennifer shares.

350. “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” My feeling is the same, the key to and gold that we are all looking for is there in each of us, right under our noses.

351. Self-care in all it’s simplicity: “Basically everything came down to listening to what my body was communicating.”

     1. Self-care: the process of learning to listen to one´s body and honour its messages. Very simple, but interestingly enough not so easy to practise due all the ideas, beliefs and mental prevalence, hence a lot to unlearn and let go of while our body patiently communicates until we understand again.

        1. Yes, our body keeps communicating and can get louder and louder in its messages the longer we ignore them. Our stubbornness to hold on to things we are used to can be very strong.

        2. I agree Alex, “Self-care: the process of learning to listen to one´s body and honour its messages” . . .and we do struggle with our head with the indulgent images we are constantly being fed that take us away from the clear messages that the body is patiently giving us.

352. “What felt so exquisite about my involvement was that through being deeply heard and understood, I could feel the value in my own expression and that what I had to express was immensely important, not because it was better that anyone else’s, but because it was my expression and I am a part of the whole expression of nursing.” Such an important and impactful realization: each of us has a piece of the puzzle and without it (our unique expression) it is not complete.

353. What you have shared here Jennifer is rich. Research undertaken to truly understand people and what is going on for them, what we can learn from them. It feels like the meat in the sandwich, it feels alive and meaningful.

354. I loved reading about Qualitative Research in this way. It is so honouring and from a basis of Equality, wonderment and curiosity. In this way there’s a natural ease in conversations and no wonder that the relationship and with that the answers deepened. Wow, how amazing if research in any way, shape or form would be like this. That it is about people first, rather than any outcome! An amazing example that sets a new standard. And on such an important topic: self-care for the people that take care of our members of society who are dealing with an illness and disease and so deserve the best quality service they could ever imagine. Thank you for sharing.

355. I always feel that research that listens to people has enormous value. It seems strange to discount research because you can’t exactly measure it as if human beings can be exactly measured by limited questions. There is value in honest research that understands and admits its bias and limitations. Your experience sounds lovely, Jennifer.

356. What comes so strongly for me in this blog is the meaningfulness of the research is demonstrated by “… his genuineness and care in exploring this topic by how open his questions were. He really wanted to get a thorough understanding from the interview and receive as much of my experiences as possible.” That there was no attempt to prove a hypothesis but that what was being researched was the ‘proof’.

     1. Yes, I could feel this too Jonathan, there was complete acceptance and genuine interest to explore the experience.

     2. Yes Jonathan. This is a great example. The “genuineness and care in exploring this topic” and a fundamental desire to developing a “thorough understanding” ought to be the absolute foundation of any research.

        1. This is my understanding of what science is all about, no matter what method is used, but as soon as this quality is missing everything thereafter is not science anymore.

     3. I’m sure the results are quite different with this approach in comparison to a researcher going in trying to prove something. If someone is trying to prove something, the line of questioning will be aligned to their agenda. Is that really research?

     4. This is key, Jonathan, that there was ‘no attempt to prove a hypothesis’ instead a true search, as opposed to re-search.

        1. Wow never looked at the root of re-search as searching again, so that there can be an in-built bias to what is being searched for, unless we focus on a true search for what is there to be found, rather than attempting to fulfil a pre-conceived agenda.

        2. “Re-search” – beautiful. It so simply exposes the falseness of so called objective and new research. Love it.

357. I love how you share your experience, interviewing in this way and doing research makes it really about people. It also shows that we all matter and that all of our expressions are equally important.

     1. Nicely said Mariette. How we each experience the same ‘technique’ of Self-Care can only be viewed as equally important and valid. We all have a different make up and life experience so it is impossible to have the same result, even though it may be similar.

     2. This is so important to understand and value that everybody matters and equally so as we are very much hooked into what we do and in which position we are in makes us more or less important. But with this kind of thinking we limit our unfoldment together as life is about people and each person is a part of the whole and with any of these parts missing or being valued and/or treated as less or more the whole will simply never work according to its natural making.

        1. So beautifully expressed Esther, thank you. If we meet every single person from the wisdom we all carry that we all matter, then there is no arrogance, no judging and no imposing. We all take our part and we become one big part together.

     3. Mariette absolutely, it also shows to me that the detail of life and our experience in life is valuable and important.

358. I spoke to a qualitative research specialist and for him such research was mainly when you don’t know yet what the question is. In this case it would not have been clear to know what ‘self care’ is and what may work for ‘self care’. Once they have a better idea, they can then put it into a survey and quickly and cheaply ask a lot of people.

     The main reason qualitative interviewing is rarely done is because the focus is on the intervention. The influence of doctors is ignored and the influence of patients is tried to be eliminated through statistical tools showing only the average treatment effect for the population and how much it varies among individuals but not what individuals could do to support the treatment.

359. The experience you had with the person interviewing you for research feels amazing. A genuine interest, a real desire to understand and an embracing of what you were saying. I can feel how important it was for you to express in a full, open and succinct way about your choices and experiences with self-care. It is important for all of us to express in full about how we live when someone takes an interest.

360. What a great experience of qualitative research. To me it feels like the real gems, the real answers to the problems they are trying to solve have come out in the qualitative part of the research. Something that the scientific community should certainly be paying attention to. If participants are supported to express what they truly feel then this may also change the perception of this type of research.

     1. Agree David there’s nothing like truth spoken to prick up ears and resonate with what they know too – this openness to listening would indeed change the way, and therefore likely the outcome, of research.

361. Sadly today research is about figures, money, and getting results but it is no longer about people and the quality of the research. When we make research about people first then we will begin to get true research and not research that keeps the status quo but does not truly bring what is needed. It is not rocket science to know that alcohol is a poison and harms the body and yet we have so many different statistics to say it is fine to drink alcohol because it satisfies the huge money making business that stems from it…but how many millions of people are suffering from its affects. What you bring Jennifer is true research, one that you know from your own personal experience works….self care has supported you in your life and in your work place.

362. It has always seemed to me that there has been a lot of time and money spent on studying the way people live in a bad way but not enough time spent asking the people who appear well in themselves how they are living.

     1. Yes Julie I agree, it does make sense to ask those that are well what their choices are and what they are choosing for themselves as that would appear to be a worthwhile start for most to consider and look at a different way.

363. I was reminded in reading your blog Jennifer of the belief when I was at University that reducing human error as much as possible brought more reliability to research. Yes there can be bias but it can be reduced, then reliability increases. Yet this reflects a go nowhere approach to understanding human beings and the life we live that science is attempting to understand and indeed improve. In truth, as you have described, human beings can inform about quality that can not be measured, and in research, go to greater unveiling of misconceptions about how quality of care does not influence life outcomes.

     1. Perhaps the focus on reducing the human error takes the human side out of the research?

364. Thanks Jennifer for sharing your experience. Reading all these comments it is quite telling that what you describe here is a notable difference to the research we are all more familiar with.

365. Jennifer you’ve given a real understanding of the opportunity offered by research, qualitative research at that in your piece. I felt how key that connection with another is, and how while there was frame in the questions there was an openness in how they were approached, and how supportive this can be for all of us. There are so many ways we can support each other and speaking of our lived experience is one of them.

     1. Yes I could feel the beauty of your interaction and how you were given the opportunity to reflect on how you care for yourself but also to share much that could be of great value to others and support them in introducing practical self-caring tips for the benefit of their own health and that of the people they care for. A true benefit to society and well worth the investment of time from the researcher who approached his work with such openness.

366. Yes I agree Marika and it is sad that we have got to a point where we value research based on numbers and statistics more than the views of real people.

367. “I genuinely enjoy my work, more so than ever and I know what I bring to patients and their families is a reflection of the care that I have shown myself” – as a nursing profession whose job it is to care for people/patients, this self-care program would seem a complete necessity, even a recognised nursing qualification to be able to actually do the job itself…because if care is not anchored at home first with oneself, how can it then be outside with others?

     1. It is a non sense to believe that we can care for another whilst not doing so for ourselves. This is an area that is being opened up in the medical field. For example, obese medical doctors suggesting their patients lose weight. Much more attention must be brought to this ignorance – ‘do as I say, not as I do’. Living examples are growing through taking responsibility for our own health and well-being, first! Great point Zofia.

        1. I agree Bernadette this is clearly common sense and yet it has been overlooked for so very long!

     2. Very true Zofia, and expressed like this it makes complete sense, and is a necessity to be a key part in our carers’ training.

     3. I love this Zofia and it is very true of my experience in social care too. Those who value and look after themselves provide a deeper quality of care – they are examples to others and this is without doubt more impactful that giving advice, or telling another what to do.

368. With the intention to see the bigger picture, research would deliver understandings that actually serve us all.

     1. Yes. The main trouble with that is that it would be harder to steer in the direction you want as more variables need to be ‘steered’. If only a few variables are investigated, it is easier to have the intent being influential.

        1. And if those doing the research stopped having ‘the intent being influential’ I wonder what, at present, unimagined answers would be discovered?

        2. Love the way you understand research Christoph, this is a great point about focus and intent in the field of research.

     2. Beautifully said Rosanna, research that ‘serves us all’ and opens the way for true evolution, evolution that welcomes re-connection, sharing, understanding and the truth.

369. I had never heard of qualitative and have limited knowledge of subjective research but from reading this blog it has given me more understanding and it simply makes sense that by bringing the human experiences into the equation and combining the two types of research that a truer and more balanced outcome is going to be achieved.

     1. I agree Deidre, this form of research is very appealing.

370. When we make what we do about people rather than numbers the results are profound.

     1. True Fiona. Even with the quantitative approach to research we ought to remember that it is about people. Every single number is a person with their story, their life and their choices. If that truth is considered, there is no way that qualitative research would be put down. Instead it would be gladly embraced as a valued expansion of the picture.

     2. Especially when the research is about people!
        I love maths and numbers but have observed how easily they can be manipulated to suit a cause.

     3. Yes Fiona, this is what I also concluded from what Jennifer related to us so appreciatively about being interviewed in such a caring way. Make anything about connecting to people and this is a healing in itself and you gain far more understanding of the overall picture. A great way to gather research is to make it about people first.

     4. I agree Fiona and this should be the natural way for us all. Something that in time we will all need to learn and live.

     5. Absolutely Fiona. It’s hard to believe that we make it about anything else than people.

     6. Something to be reminded of every day. If we do not hold the people in our heart with whatever we do, there will always be a missing link that we will keep on searching.

371. What I love about what you have written here is that simply by expressing how self care supports you, you were able to appreciate deeply the changes you have made and confirm the foundation of self love that you have built.

     1. And by Jennifer expressing from what she lives the researcher was able to have a different working relationship with her, one based on a deeper understanding from her sharing.

372. To me figures distract us from connecting to the heart of our humanness. They impersonalize and make the statistics (which can be shocking) but doesn’t highlight who they refer to. When in fact personalized interactions and reporting tell us how the information gathered directly relates to us and our relationship with people.

     1. I agree, Sandra – when we listen to people and hear their stories of how they are living, it brings research into a true awareness of what is going on. Numbers can be rearranged to change results, a human story results in inspiring change.

        1. And numbers are manipulated all the time to serve an outcome. So long live qualitative research.

     2. Beautiful comment Sandra. When figures are made about people and when we realize how many people actually get affected by for example breast cancer there is a purpose to serve in them. I agree numbers often are used to manipulate and for self-gain and profit.

     3. I get the image of a snapshot that tells a story but not the full story. We can take many snapshots along the path of course which might help create a more accurate picture – but there is this ‘heart of our humanness’ that in my view cannot be captured by any number of snapshots but through a real connection with people.

373. “These same scientists can look with scorn on so-called ‘subjective’ research, in denial of the fact that all research has subjectivity at its heart.” Scientists have a hypothesis they are trying to confirm or refute – this is automatically biased if they have any investment in being proved right in this.

     1. And there is no truth in being right.

        1. Being right only sets one person against another and doesn’t resolve anything in the long run, it only creates animosity and short lived triumphs.

        2. I agree Kylie and it is because you can only be right for so long before you are wrong.

     2. This is so true Lucy, I never thought of it that way before. Results already tainted and slotted into a preconceived box are results not worth having – waste of time and money.

374. Jennifer I am totally inspired by your blog and can sense the value of true research about people and their life rather than dry, remote facts and figures. Thank you for sharing this!

375. If we only see the system and try to make a change in the system but do not see that the system is made of people we will always make things worse because the people are not heard nor understood and only bound to function.

     1. This is true Esther, and so bring a focus to ourselves and educating people to be responsible for themselves fully by starting with the basics of self-love is always going to be the way forward to true healing.

     2. It seems that systems relate to people like quantitative to qualitative research – one is about people, life, multidimensional and the other seeks objectivity, abstraction, generalisation.

376. What you share Jennifer shows that it is the care and understanding we bring to other people (and to ourselves) is what lets us strive and enjoy any thing we do. The more abstract and rule bound we make things the more estranged and head-driven we are with each other and the more it becomes about the outcome and our own benefit in it.

     1. If research is about truly gaining and deepening our understanding of a particular topic or situation; then it makes perfect sense that qualitative research provides this. We need the full story behind the numbers.

        1. Yes Kylie, we do need “the full story behind the numbers”, something real and tangible that people can connect to.

        2. I agree Kylie that in any research “We need the full story behind the numbers.”, after all the numbers are often representing people and it is their personal experiences that can inspire others to make life changing choices.

        3. Well said Kylie, we need the full story behind the numbers. It makes it real. Otherwise we roll out these stats like they are simply that – numbers. We lose the truth that these are real people, in our lives and it is happening in and amongst us every day.

        4. I get a bit confused with qualitative and quantitative data .. but just looked it up and was reminded that the qualitative data is about asking people their experience/opinion, similar to what this research is about. And I wholeheartedly agree Kylie, it is this information (qualitative) that is so valuable, we absolutely need the full story behind the numbers. For me it is this information where we get a deeper and broader understanding of what is going on and being felt, and can from here see what truly needs to be changed for the benefit of the all.

        5. It’s a great point Kylie Jackson. Statistics whilst important feel rather empty and sterile without the full story behind them. We all too easily dismiss the experiences of people in my view and yet isn’t this what life is all about?

     2. Well said Esther, the more rules and boxes we create in an attempt to study ourselves, the further away we move from what makes us human, as we attempt to nail down and define our ‘being-ness’ and what makes us tick. Connection, care, understanding and allowing for the unpredictable can deliver rich results in understanding ourselves and our problems. This may not be the simplest of trials to carry out, but qualitative research always provides a wealth of lived experience that provides very scientific results from a huge variety of tried and tested ideas and observations. Never under value anecdotal experience, we are all living scientists in the laboratory of life, every day is an experiment of living!

377. When I went through Uni quantitative research was the go to for most students, however I was drawn myself to undertake a qualitative study. For me I found much more value in the words on one person than the statistic provided by thousands. While I can see that it doesn’t represent everyone in what is found, it made the process more about a connection with the story of the interviewee and added a richness to my understanding of the topic. To dismiss the importance of qualitative research is to me a dismissal of our very innate qualities we hold and the fact that we all matter greatly.

378. I concur with your views on the role of the subjectivity of qualitative experience in research as equal in value to but different in quality from the quantitative results, which lets face it, serve only as a biopsy-equivalent view on a point-in-time moment. Qualitative research however, adds flavour and depth to the findings in a way that stats can’t. It adds flesh to the bone and humanises the content. For me it’s a preference for both, not either or, as one assists with getting a snapshot for attention, the other brings a deeper understanding.

379. Jennifer, I can feel how beneficial this would be, ‘if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ I can feel how in both my part time jobs that if staff were asked for their experiences and were listened to, that they have much to say and that many positive changes could happen as a result, it is easy for staff to complain about a company they are in rather than constructively feedback and so this type of research could be really constructive and supportive for staff and for the company.

380. Qualitative research offers a ‘Living’ experience; it has heart and warmth to it and is often able to be related to unlike other research that is statistical. The reflection offered to you Jennifer was very healing and not only confirming of all you were living in your life, but also healing because you experienced being truly heard and met for who you are. It will be great to see the outcome of this research and have it available for others to read. Well done.

381. I love this insight into qualitative research and see the grand opportunities in this, it makes it possible for a research to go broader and deeper into the matter that is being researched, as there is more of a personal view taken into account, while the quantitative research is always putting the subjects in a box predetermined by the researcher, every possible outcome already thought of and covered. It would be a big change when we would look at research from the healing point of view it can bring.

382. I have always found data collection a little cold and impersonal, I love the sound and the detail and the style of this particular researcher has gone to in his interaction with you, it sounds like a much better approach to me.

383. Great point Anne “all data is a capture of a moment in time”, it is always a reflection of what was presented at that moment and this reflection is there to serve others to learn from this reflection.

     1. And also, being aware and understanding of the fact that this ‘moment in time’ can never be replicated, which is why I feel quantitative researchers devalue qualitative research for they are limited by the narrow view that results can only be valid if they are exactly repeatable. We can learn so much from each other’s experiences, so to dismiss this as a field of scientific research and study is to ignore an absolute goldmine.

384. What can be more important than the lived experience of the participants being questioned, as is this not what research is about – finding out about the experiences of people chosen for the research and drawing conclusions from this. Evidence based research has moved so far away from this in many cases. Qualitative research tends to keep the question and the participants in the forefront and there is usually a genuine interest in the topic being researched. Thank you, Jennifer for this sharing and for also shedding some light on the controversial topic of research.

385. Jennifer you make some powerful points here, sharing our experiences in qualitative research means you get to feel and hear the real stories of real people: ‘And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.’ How easily have we dismissed these real experiences for something ‘proven’, when what is shared is the real deal – the proof is in the living.

     1. The real deal is what is needed to bring back simplicity to research. The quality of ones living says it all.

386. Absolutely Marika. When it all comes down to it, the benefits of research are always subjective. If a study shows that you will feel better if you take this medication, but you take it and don’t feel better, who do you believe, your experience or the study findings?

387. Jennifer – like all areas – it comes down to how we are and how we approach things. I have been involved in many research groups over the years, both qual and quant, and it is so interesting to see when people are biased in their opinions but this is not called out because it is ‘freedom of speech’ – but we have ultimately set up the world to not call out opinions. We let it go instead of asking the person to really feel in their bodies what the truth is. Like you share – self care isn’t necessarily better than not self caring, but for you in your body, it makes absolute sense to self care and nurture who you are so that you can support others. It is not about being better – it is about being true.

388. Thank you Jennifer for a great blog, and what a great experience for you to share your experience of self care and have it received and opened up to become an enjoyable interaction between you and the interviewer. Thank you for explaining the difference between qualitative and quantitative research.

389. Thanks for sharing the fun part of it. We can easily be caught up in the seriousness of being good.

     1. Oh so true Felix. Great that you highlighted this as I was feeling terribly serious about this at that moment!

390. What a joy to be truly listened too, and to be given the opportunity to go even deeper with your expression of your lived experiences all in the name of qualitative research. Actually reading your sharing with us Jennifer felt very much like sitting in on a healing session. Two people sharing, truly connecting,communicating/expressing so openly and honestly with each other and feeling supported to do so. In the past I’ve always felt ‘research’ can be a bit of a tick box struggle not really capturing the true essence of how I felt. In this case the data collated will truly serve.

391. Jennifer this is awesome. We paraphrase this ‘subjective’ research and it is said with derision and certainly comes loaded with connotations, when in truth, as you have shown, it needn’t be that way. Perhaps if we changed the energy from the source of questioning, with the true purpose being service to all equally, people (both questioner and participant) would not feel coerced or manipulated into giving or leading certain questions or answers.

392. Thank you Jennifer. It comes across very clearly that the ‘researcher’ was treating you as a person and not as a statistic and as a result you were able to respond and expand on the quality of your experience. The information gathered to be shared with others will be so much more widely beneficial than stark statistics.

393. What a beautiful opportunity to express and appreciate what you have brought to yourself, your patients and the world.

394. The other thing to note that qualitative research is replete with checks and balances to ensure validity, generalisability and a whole raft of other ‘-ilities’. What qual research is reporting is life and human-beingness as understood by the people experiencing it and that’s what super-important about it.

     1. Not putting aside that we hold all the answers within so if we want answers to our questions, where better to look and study but people and their experiences of life.

        1. Our bodies hold the living answers to every question we have and will ever ask.

395. ‘These same scientists can look with scorn on so-called ‘subjective’ research, in denial of the fact that all research has subjectivity at its heart.’ To continue the above thought, yes this can also be utterly true. You can never eliminate subjectivity. The way a quantitative researcher poses a survey question, for example, can reflect personal leanings, as can the reason why a particular strand of research might be pursued in the first place. There are a myriad of subtle ways.

396. Great article, it is interesting how impersonal numbers are given more value than a person’s own words and experience. I fly up north today to do an annual series of qualitative interviews and am looking forward to the conversation, the deeper understanding and the way they will bring more colour to the quantitative work previously conducted.

397. Jennifer you are on the money with your understanding of the scorn that is sometimes heaped on qualitative research by the scientific community. Qualitative research is of course used widely in the social sciences (which would be incomplete without it) and has a long track record of use. Having said that, there are those in the social sciences who strongly prefer quantitative research and continue to downplay qualitative. The thing is, qualitative research is about people and the evidence of their lived experiences. How can this be discounted, or claimed as ‘less than rigourous’? If die-hard, empirical quantitative researchers are to claim this, by this reckoning they would need to dismiss their own lived experiences, for they would be deemed either non-existent or of no value. We all have to live, express and feel – unless we have shut down completely – and our experiences count.

398. Thank you for the wonderfully affirming article Jennifer. As a beginning qualitative researcher myself it is great to hear from a participant as to the value of this kind of research – not only in terms of the study aims, but for the participants themselves. A very holistic exercise indeed!

399. Research is a hot potato in many circles with some quite strong opinions on what is ‘true’ research. The words ‘evidence based’ are bandied around as if that is a defined autonomous concept so it’s important that all forms of research are performed and valued. Yet as you say Jennifer, all research can be biased due to various agendas at play – both overt and covert. It’s good to hear that you found your experience as a participant so open and supportive. It sounds like it was a good opportunity to reflect on and confirm the level of self care you are providing for yourself. This type of input is valuable, especially as people rarely stop and take a moment to do a stocktake on how they are caring for themselves.

400. There should be no competition between type of researches like qualitative or quantitative research, as any type of research done with integrity and detached from getting any predefined outcome, will provide the understanding and clarity that we are looking for on any specific subject we need a research for.

401. Being interviewed like you described Jennifer feels such a blessing when truly appreciated for what it brings. You were asked to express more deeply with every answer you gave, not only for the interviewer to check his understanding, but also for you to become more complete in your own communication and expression.

402. Research questions can offer so much consideration to people, highlighting and getting them to look at certain parts and aspects of their lives. It’s an amazing opportunity to look at a big picture for a persons life, and for what’s going on for many people.

403. I love this. It’s beautiful to feel your joy in reflecting and sharing what is true for you with another who is willing to understand. For the same reason, I love job interviews – a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the choices I have made in my entire life. The opportunities like that are very healing for both parties.

404. I agree, Jennifer – somehow there is this notion that the numerical data is more objective and reliable than the narrative, and what I often experience when I participate in a survey where I have to choose from the options provided that I agree is that I have to somehow rough-cut my answers and in that I feel I am devaluing what I have got to say.

405. Jen you make an interesting point here. Whenever I respond to a questionnaire I feel how there are times when I feel boxed in or corralled by the line of questioning, and I’ve always felt the limitation and therefore the potential to come to a conclusion that is incorrect when the question is about people. As you have shown, everything shifts and changes, even with the process, so at best all data is a capture of a moment in time.

406. To me, and as I can feel from what you have shared, it does for you too Jennifer, the “evidence of real people with real experiences” is what research should be based on. It simply makes sense that the healing experience that you have had through deepening your self-care would be a true guide to others looking to change the way they care for themselves. Then when there is a large group all sharing the same healing experiences maybe it will be time for the scientific community to take a long honest look at the way they have been researching, and instead of staying stuck in the way it has always been, being open to a new and a much truer way.

     1. Yes Ingrid, it feels that there are some obstacles that can be taken away in research land. A redefinition of how research may be required in order to get a real understanding and answers to the questions on complex situations we are currently faced with in our nowadays societies.

407. This is a great blog Jennifer. For one thing it’s enabled me to understand the difference between quantitative and qualitative research. And clearly there are many benefits to quantitative research when those taking part in the study are allowed the freedom to express their experience such as you’ve been able to do, thereby bringing greater understanding.

408. “The numbers of participants in qualitative research are often much smaller than with quantitative research and whilst this allows for a richer, in-depth analysis to be performed, there are some factions in science that do not value this and who consider quantitative research superior.” It seems that at times it would be valuable to combine both these methods of research to give a better overall picture rather than only relying on one method or the other and knowing when and how to apply the results.

409. “And maybe if we were more open to the ‘subjective’ evidence of real people with real experiences, our research would deliver understandings that actually served us all.” Awesome point Jennifer… rather than research being done with a personal and or corporate agenda, how amazing to have right from the beginning an intention to present research projects that would serve one and all equally so.
     This would be a world game changer!

     1. Imagine that Paula, research projects that confirm and evaluate issues that add to a more harmonious way of living.

410. We wait for a time a place, or a person, who is willing to be open. We yearn to read research or see science that works this way. But what comes across in reading your words Jennifer is how this openness begins with us every day. What if we sat with each person we met as an ‘old friend’, what if listened to what others have to say in the most unreserved way? Perhaps then we would see medicine and our view of life open up in the most amazing way.

     1. Life then becomes our research if we are open to seeing, feeling and understanding the truth as it is, rather than imposing our images and beliefs of how it ‘should be’.

411. When we are truly listened to and heard our expression can naturally open up to more. What you experienced Jen even though it was in a formal setting of research, was true research, one person meeting another to document exactly what it is that you had to share. Now this is the best form of research we could ask for, a true representation of what a person shares that is no way biased and built on the foundation of love because of the openness that was felt between the two of you in this project. Awesome!

     1. I totally agree Donna, in what Jennifer shared there was a real feeling of livingness in the way the research was done, the openness between those involved and the way in which the researcher allowed space for understanding and further depth to be brought out was amazing. You could feel that the way this research was done would ultimately support not only the researchers but all of humanity. Truly powerful!

412. I agree Jennifer, this is true research, it may not be accepted by the academics but to me it is more real and open. I feel the researcher can get a clearer understanding when talking directly to the person. To continue for an extra 45 minutes over the scheduled time shows the genuine interest of the researcher and I am sure he got a real insight from your experience as to how practising self care has really supported you in your job. Imagine if through this research it was taken out into the nursing profession to support all the nurses in their work.

     1. Yes research is about asking real people real questions and not pretending that there is a neutral case study we can use as a reference point. The true purpose of research is to support people, so the activity of researching has to have people at its core.

        1. Agree rachelandras, and, people at the core in order to expand and understand exactly why there is no true expansion going on for one person (or thousands more). Else what is the point in research if it’s not for humanity’s collective benefit.

413. Thank you Jennifer for showing us that there can be a more connected way of doing research, where it is about humans and not just statistics.

     1. Great point Carmel. Sometimes it looks like we have lost research to statistics and it is more about the numbers than the actual people, and that research is done to support people to be healthier, more aware, etc. In my view research is as sold out to comercial interests as most things in the world and it is acted more in the interest of the funders than of the actual purpose for what has to be found out. So to see that there are other ways to research is great!!

414. Thank you Jennifer, I loved reading about your experience. Your blog shows me that all studies are biased, however, a true scientist will always be looking to confirm the truth in support of the whole, not the most lucrative outcome for themselves.

     1. Now that would truly revolutionize research, instead of hypothesizing to confirm or reject a certain perspective or bias based on self interest, research that either confirms truth or identifies what is not true.

     2. Well said Leonne.

     3. I feel like the key here is that we each need to assess the research for ourselves to see whether the conclusions are valid. Not only do they need to be valid, but we need to ask whether the findings apply to us.

        1. Great point Lee. It wasn’t so long ago we had ‘scientists’ telling us that agent orange and cigarettes were not harmful and I am sure there are many findings backed by so called ‘scientific research’ that are nothing more than advertising for dangerous products and industries. We can all feel the truth if we assess everything from our body. It is very dangerous to give our power away to research, however, when research reveals the truth it is very powerful as it gives us an opportunity to confirm what we feel.

     4. Well sai Leonne, anything we do in life has to be to confirm truth and never about outcomes, that is something we have totally bastardized in the striving for individual recognition. We are here to live who we truly are and not to deepen our individualism, which hasn’t worked from the beginning.

415. Thank you Jennifer for a really inspiring blog. I have never been that interested in research until recently but I had observed that however sanitised a quantitive research project tries to be, it will always have a bias because of the power of our intentions and somehow this has never been put in the equation before. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment of the whole process confirms for me your concluding paragraphs. Qualitative research is rich in personal experience, first hand experiments that people go through just by living life. We have so much to offer one another through our experience, what really works, what doesn’t in the process of caring and nurturing ourselves. Both research models have an equal role to play, neither is more important or valid than the other, they just offer us different perspectives on the many issues and challenges we have in life.

     1. Rowena what you share is very true. All forms of research need to be regarded equally, because they actually look at different things, depending on what is needed. Sometimes we need facts, figures and numbers and other times we need to explore the meaning of something with a group of people. It saddens me that even though there is a wealth of qualitative research ‘out there’ it is not regarded as significant in some circles, when it really is significant for all involved and for those it relates to.

416. Dear Jennifer,
     I can feel in your writing the absolute importance of our research being more based upon the actual health and vitality changes in people, rather than on figures. The conversation you had with your interviewer is a clear marker in how important an individual’s contribution can be for all of humanity. It is these experiences and interviews that could truly support humanity and the conversation had needs to be published, not just the results of the research.

     1. Yes I’ve noticed that research is based on numbers. Making those numbers about people makes all the difference.

     2. Yes it was truly great to read this as this kind of interview is so rare these days, or maybe any days, and clearly shows how the process of research can be a fulfilling experience and not just a ticking of boxes. A true meeting of two people that produces so much more than the sum of its parts.

417. If we have a narrow view on life or the subject we are studying then it makes more sense that there would be more bias because we are unwilling to be open to the possibility of the result not being in line with our narrow view. Considering that as human beings we are so diverse and wide ranging, to box a study limits those in which the results can benefit does it not?

     1. Exactly Leigh. A reduced study = reduced results.

418. Very beautiful to read Jennifer. Research often seems very cold to me and misses what you shared about here, the heart, the connection to people, the reality, life. We cannot put life into a model, as life is way more than that.

     1. Indeed Lieke it seems like we reduce life from a purely quantitative research perspective. Life and humanity are so much more than just the physical that can be seen and counted, as quantum physics describes.

        1. It is like squeezing a large circle into a small square, there is sooo much that we miss out on when approaching research from this way (purely quantitative). Who knows what that circle holds in it’s entirety if we have reduced it only to the parts that fit inside the square to begin with?

     2. Absolutely Lieke. It is lovely to feel the engagement and connection occurring in this research.

     3. It’s such a reductionism of what life truly is. We are reduced to mere functioning in a certain occasion and this is measured and taken as “life”. Research to be true, has to reflect our true grandness and not a reduced part of it.

419. Thank you for sharing your experience Jennifer. Looking at topics from a qualitative research view provides a depth of understanding that is not available when only looking at the numbers. To really investigate a topic requires both approaches, but more importantly, is how it feels for the person involved. If a treatment only works 10% of the time, but you are in the 10%, then it works for you. Conversely, if it works 90% of the time and again you are in the 10% then it doesn’t work for you. This is where there is a gap in so called evidence based medicine, it fails to fully account for the lived experience of an individual.

     1. And because this is so Lee, the truth is omitted because we know that the lived experience in the body IS the truth!

420. The awareness shared hear feels like a very true foundation for research to build from. Building from true connection with people and an absolute understanding of what is actually being experienced. Going in with the lab coat approach and clipboard checklist would only reveal what it is that is pre-determined in the thinking mind. Not much openness to the reality and truth for the heart of humanity and the true wonder of discovering in that static approach.

     1. I agree Sandra. I am all for quantitative research in some areas of research, but do feel “Building from true connection with people and an absolute understanding of what is actually being experienced” seems fundamental to me when researching people. Here we are looking at beings that can actually talk and express! It seems plain silly choosing to not include what they have to say in the equation.

421. Wow Jennifer what a great opportunity to express and contribute to research based on the details of real life experience of one who had learnt to value the body as the seat of true education!

     1. This research sounds like it explores the quality of self care and its influences, not just the activities we may do to self care and the flow on effect for productivity.

        1. Yes that was what impress me also Jenny. The research that Jennifer describes here was very practical, insightful, caring and people oriented!

422. Being “deeply heard and understood” is the soundest foundation for a meaningful and healing outcome.

     1. Very true Rosanna. Allowing people to be truly them

     2. It is true medicine Rosanna to be heard and seen for who we are and what our experiences!

     3. Imagine we would bring this quality “deeply listen and understand” into every relationship we have…there would open up a space for … Love.

     4. And there is no evidence needed as the body expresses this loud and clear.

     5. Agree Rosanna…the foundation of which starts with ourselves and really hearing our body, understanding who we truly are from healing who we are not.

423. I was one person who used to think quantitative research was the only noteworthy research. Large numbers were necessary to prove anything. But as this article explains, there is bias possible in even that, because it is a human being who makes sense of the results in whatever way they see fit. This is a well proven fact, since through our recent history we have many outrageous biased research proving whatever the politics of the time required, such as US race discrimination in the 60’s. And since then I have come across many qualitative studies that have offered invaluable understanding, showing they hold an important place in research. The fact it regardless of which type of research, great care needs to be taken by anyone performing research. And as in any other area we, the public need to discern the truth, love, and honouring inherent in that information.

     1. I agree Golnaz. The researchers have great responsibility in design and reporting but ultimately it is up to each person to assess the quality of the research and its applicability to the individual.

     2. Perhaps then it’s not about excluding bias, but being open, honest and declaring all that may influence the outcomes of research. The fact that someone is passionate about a subject, could almost be seen then as a bias too.

        1. Very true Jennifer, having a personal investment in or being passionate about “proving a point” can both lead to bias. Just like the wonderful researcher mentioned in this article I feel we need humility and a genuine openness to explore the topic and allow greater wisdom to develop.

424. Interesting to consider that after all the purpose of all research is to gain a deeper understanding. If we remember this, perhaps the quantitative research lobby would choose to turn its attention from attack to a more constructive cooperation with its fellow qualitative researchers together ensuring the growth of wisdom and understanding available to mankind.

     1. So true Golnaz, I wonder also if a deeper understanding of how research results are valid and reliable relates to the understanding of the energetic truth to a particular issue being studied.

     2. Golnaz, that is a perfect point. Qualitative allows so much depth into a topic, for me it seems more about quality – like how Jennifer was sharing the quality of her life.

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