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Abstract

Context: Observation is an increasingly popular method for care home research.However, there are challenges associated with the use of this method in this context.As researchers, what we bring, what we do, and what we leave behind when using thismethod can have a significant impact on the lives and work of people in care homes.Perspective: Drawing on the experiences of two research teams, we share realworld examples of the ethical, methodological, and practical concerns when usingthe non-participant observation method in a care home context. Four key areas forobservational research in care homes are considered: privacy and confidentiality;managing consent; observation activities and the role and skills of the researcher;and sensitivity, reflexivity, and relational aspects of observational research. We offerexamples from our work to guide researchers on: i) making a case for ethics; ii) theobservational ‘gaze’ (or focus); iii) including people who lack capacity; iv) addressingconcerns about care or practices; v) the role of the researcher; and vi) addressingobservational sensitivities.Implications: This paper highlights the opportunities and challenges of the nonparticipant observation method for care home research. In particular, we highlight theunique contextual and ‘people’ factors for researchers to consider. Our paper addressesa significant gap in the existing literature. It will be of interest to researchers worldwide, generating discussions that will support the research community to undertakeresearch that appropriately uses observational methods to address questions thatmatter for the sector and to generate high-quality evidence with the potential tobenefit those living and working in care homes.

Publication Date

2024-09-02

Publication Title

Journal of Long term care

Volume

2024

Acceptance Date

2024-06-30

Deposit Date

2024-09-26

Funding

The authors have received funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Programme, Policy Research Programme and School for Social Care Research to support research with care homes. KH is part funded by NICHE-Leeds. KS is part-funded by NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaboration (ARC). SP is part-funded by NIHR ARC South-West Peninsula. KS is an NIHR Senior Investigator. This paper uses exemplars from NIHR 15/144/29. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Keywords

care home, ethics, long-term residential care, method, observation, real-world research

First Page

360

Last Page

370

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