Open AccessThe Outdoor Guided Walk as a Culturally Sensitive Research Method
Author(s) -
Michelle K. Brunette
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
diversity of research in health journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2561-1666
DOI - 10.28984/drhj.v3i0.299
Subject(s) - walk in , context (archaeology) , internet privacy , computer science , psychology , applied psychology , medicine , paleontology , alternative medicine , pathology , biology
A guided walk is a mobile research method in which interviews occur over the course of a walk with participants. This mobile method can enable complex connections between people, and between people and places (Sheller & Urry, 2006). In this paper, I describe a three-stage outdoor guided walk, with emphasis on recommendations to advance this method. An outdoor guided walk can encourage open and pressure free dialogue, which can be especially useful in building rapport with culturally diverse participants. Future researchers wishing to employ an outdoor guided walk must consider weather, privacy and noise, and building a balanced relationship with participants. The guided walk offers many benefits in contributing to a dynamic and context-rich research environment, and contributing to both research and participant wellness.