I agree with David up to a point. Whilst focusing on other projects could act as a diversion, given the diverse needs of the community in Tower Hamlets and that existing researchers have worked effectively and respectfully within that community networking with them could at least identify ways of effective working and save time trying to identify participants and key community leads. Whilst the PCT's funded you cash can often be wasted trying to find people to be involved in programmes where networks already exist (and you can always step outside those if you need to).

At 12:43 05/07/2006, you wrote:

Dear Deborah,

If I were you I would not start by seeing what other researchers have done and, especially, I would not start by looking for another study done elsewhere which could act as a guide or template as to what you should do and how you should do it. If you came across such a study I would put it on one side until you have done your own work so it does not affect how you work.

I note that in your account the impetus for the research comes not from the community but from health visitors and district nurses rather than from residents in Tower Hamlets. In whose interests is the proposed research being done, really? Who is powerful in deciding who is studied, what questions are asked etc?

If I were you I would find ways to be useful in very practical ways to people in Tower hamlets and gradually earn the right to be trusted. I would find out the questions that people in Tower Hamlets want answered and I would seek for ways to support them in getting answers.

In so far as you do read in advance I would suggest this should be to problemetise the project in which you are engaged: I would suggest the following reading as priority reading in that regard:

Ian Parker (2005) Qualitative Psychology: Introducing Radical Research, Buckingham: Open University Press. isbn: 0-335-21349-9

Linda Tuhiwai Smith (1999) Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples Zed Books isbn 1856496244

Derek Hook (ed.), with Mkhize, N. Kiguwa, P. and Collins, A. (section eds) and Burman, E. and Parker, I. (consulting eds) Critical Psychology2004, Cape Town: UCT Press. isbn: 1-91971-388-3

David
David Fryer
Community Psychology Group
University of Stirling
FK9 4LA
Scotland
+44 (0) 1786 467650 (tel)
+44 (0) 1786 467641 (fax)
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-----Original Message-----

From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Deborah Chinn

Sent: 04 July 2006 10:44 pm

To: [log in to unmask]

Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] what do people want?

Dear All

We (some PCT psychologists) have got some funding to find out from people in Tower Hamlets in the East End of London what they think are the important things that impact on their health and wellbeing, and conversely, what might get in the way of good physical and mental health. The starting point for this study were worries from primary health staff, mainly health visitors and district nurses, that there were quite a few people who didn't find seem to find health professionals' current approaches or interventions very helpful. We are going to have to think carefully about issues of race/culture in the design and focus of the study, as Tower Hamlets is a very ethnically diverse borough with 30% of the population identified as Bangladeshi.

Does anyone know of any similar work, or maybe someone has conducted a similar study? Any ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Deborah Chinn

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