Promoting deliberation through research: qualitative methods and public engagement with science and technology

Kotchetkova, Inna and Evans, Robert John ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7034-5122 2008. Promoting deliberation through research: qualitative methods and public engagement with science and technology. [Working Paper]. QUALITI Working Paper, vol. 7. Cardiff: Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/socsi/qualiti/WorkingPape...

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Abstract

This paper explores the contribution of qualitative research to public engagement with science and technology by critically evaluating a deliberative exercise designed to incorporate several aspects of contemporary science studies. The project used in-depth interviews, reconvened focus groups and a roundtable workshop to simulate ‘upstream’ public engagement by investigating how patients, carers and lay citizens evaluated different treatment options for Type One diabetes. By comparing how these treatments were discussed in focus groups and a roundtable workshop we show how the choice of research setting makes a significant difference to the data collected. In particular, we show that the relatively homogeneous focus groups allowed more perspectives to emerge than the apparently more heterogeneous roundtable, which was ultimately dominated by the patient perspective. In reflecting on these events, we acknowledge both the vulnerability of deliberative methods to factors beyond the researchers’ control but also ask what status the outcome of such deliberations should have if these vulnerabilities could be eliminated.

Item Type:	Monograph (Working Paper)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) Q Science > Q Science (General) T Technology > T Technology (General)
Publisher:	Cardiff School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	19 Oct 2022 10:47
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/25535

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