Incumplimientos de parámetros imperativos

This seems an appropriate point to return to the underlying principles of hermeneutic phenomenology as it is here that my personal preconceptions clearly influence the design of this thesis. Gadamer argues the methodological importance of understanding the influence of researcher fore-conceptions and the ‘imperative to identify, challenge and qualify interpreter pre-understandings’ (Geanellos, 1998:155). The researcher themselves are implicated and present at every stage of the research, from the decision to undertake the research and the formulation of the first research question to the presentation of findings (Roulston, 2010). Indeed, Gadamer encourages the researcher to explore ‘what is going on’, and to do this reflexively - captured through the reflexive journal, where the critical gaze is turned towards the researcher (Koch and Harrington, 1998; Smith, 1999)

As a hermeneutic phenomenological researcher, it is incumbent upon the individual to acknowledge, explore, and present their own fore-conceptions which assisted them in forming their interpretation of their world experience and in turn, that of their participants (Smith, 1999). Concerned in studies within nursing, Geanellos (1998) sought to highlight how this was often left out by researchers. Todres and Wheeler (2001) articulated how nurses’ personal experience played into their interpretation of being ill and being cared for. This too can make researchers ‘sensitise’ towards particular meanings that may otherwise have gone unexplored - creating a researcher led bias to interpretation of experience (Todres and Wheeler, 2001).

Reflexivity provides the reader with the historic, cultural and social political personal context that led to the creation of study as well as to how this context changes and influences the researcher as they continue to engage with the study and participants (Geanellos, 1998; Todres and Wheeler, 2001). It is also important for the reader to appreciate how and why a researcher may interpret a text and, as previous experience can create empathetic understanding, how reflexivity creates distance allowing the researcher to engage with participant interpreted experience (Todres and Wheeler, 2001).

81 Smith (1999) goes a step further, arguing that the researchers own experience of the research process should be included as an accessible aspect of the data, a point supported by Gadamer who argued that the ‘fusion’ of both researcher and participants world views is the way in which understanding in enhanced (Smith, 1999). Due to the interpretive nature of this study it is important that I am aware of my position within the hermeneutic circle, and how I am anchored not as a passive instrument, but as implicated within the understanding and creation of the reality sought (Walsham, 1995; May, 2002; Myers, 2013; Dima and Bucuta, 2016). This situated view of interpretation calls for researchers to be reflexively self-aware of their own historicity and prejudice, as prior knowledge informs their interpretation (Koch and Harrington, 1998; Kinsella, 2006).

Reflexivity is seen as a way of overcoming criticism or allegation of researcher bias and is considered important in all forms of social science research, including social psychology (Ashmore, 1989; Koch and Harrington, 1998, Herr and Anderson, 2005). There is an expectation that social scientists will undertake a form of reflexivity to raise awareness (their own and the readers) to the researchers position socially, culturally and politically, identifying the researchers position in space and time as a form of critique and self -appraisal (Kock and Harrington, 1998; Smith, 1999; Bryman and Bell, 2015). Positioning in reflexivity is particularly important when challenging previous interpretations of phenomena and giving credibility to ‘other’ voices not previously heard (Koch and Harrington, 1998). It should be noted that it is not the intention here to identify, describe, and to ‘bracket’ these fore-conceptions of the researcher, as perhaps Husserl would recommend. It is not objectivity that is sought here (if such a thing exists) - but transparency and credibility (Koch and Harrington, 1998).

The notion of reflexivity is particularly relevant for myself as I was a serving officer for eighteen years, with the last years’ service completed during the first three years of this study, I am also the child of two retired police officers and married to a serving officer. Therefore, I have completed a reflexive diary for this project, capturing my reflexive responses and personal narrative throughout the study. At each stage I have captured my thoughts, not only about the literature and the data analysis, but also

82 about the process of researching itself, as it affected me, considering that everything has an influence on my ever-developing perspective. Reflexivity should be a many voiced account, including not just the voice of the researcher, but also those voices of their many influences, this is to counter charges of introspection and self- indulgence (Koch and Harrington, 1998). With this in mind this reflexive diary also explores the many influences on my perspective.

In the desire for transparency, and to situation my personal perspective at each stage of the research (including motivation and design of the research) this thesis will include text boxes which will sign post the reader to the related section of reflexive diary included at Appendix A: Author’s Reflexive Diary.

In taking a hermeneutic approach this study acknowledges the role of the researcher as interpreter of the participant experience, though it should be noted that this analysis, as interpreted by the researcher, will always (despite best efforts) in some way also reflect the researcher, along with the researched and as such provides a further lay of interpretation to the already multi-layered accounts within this research (Brocki and Wearden, 2006; Laverty, 2003; Smith et al., 2009; Roulston, 2010; Kafle, 2011). The accompanying reflexive diary is to aid transparency within this process.