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Abstract: A recent study of social workers' understandings of integrity (Appleton, 2010) gathered the reflections and voices of women social workers in relation to perceptions, appreciation and application of the notion of integrity to their work and lives. As the sole researcher the author, a qualified and registered social worker, was aware she identified as an 'insider', thus sharing an understanding of the social work profession, its values, Codes of Conduct, and Code of Ethics. Rooney (2005) argues that insider researchers have the potential to increase the validity of the research due to added richness, honesty, fidelity and authenticity of the information acquired. There are advantages in studying the familiar: easier development of rapport; higher acceptance levels enabling smoother cooperation and higher comfort levels (Padgett, 2008, p.20). There are also potential issues of power and authority therefore it is vital to ensure researcher integrity in a project. Employment of 'critical friends' as a research tool aligns with feminist principles. This tool offers support and critique throughout the research journey. It contributes to the maintenance of the researchers' professional and personal integrity. This article considers the role of critical friends in relation to a qualitative research project and explores how using this tool influenced and supported researcher integrity.
Author: Cherie Appleton, University of Auckland. Email: [email protected]
Introduction
In undertaking recent research I chose to adopt the technique of 'critical friend' as a research tool to enhance my ability to be reflexive, transparent and to ensure my integrity. As a social worker/educator approaching the conduct of a qualitative study on how social workers perceived integrity, it was important for me to behave in ways congruent with my beliefs and values, and my feminist stance. Ethics, morality, beliefs and values are the cornerstones of integrity which is both a personal and professional concept and an essential key attribute when working with people in social and human services (Calhoun 1995). Integrity is variously described as an elusive concept with little agreement on precise definition although recognition that there are clusters of shared intuitions (Cox, La Caze, and Levine 2003, p.25). Social workers reflected that it can change dependent upon the person and issue being examined. If integrity is not a fixed, immovable feature of day-to-day living, if...