The purpose is to share an overview of methodological issues related to conducting ethnographical research whilst living and working clinically within the confines of a hospital ship docked and providing services in a developing country. An exploration of the experiences of being fully immersed as a researcher in that context is made, to provide a reflexive contribution to a contemporary discussion of undertaking ethnographical fieldwork. A critical reflection of an experience addressing the ethical and practical challenges of living and working remotely where one is conducting research follows.
Methods:
The setting for the study was a hospital located on a ship, docked in a developing country. The researcher identified as both an insider and an outsider (Jones & Smith 2017), due to having previously worked with the organisation for an extended time, but also having been removed from the field for a decade. Data collection was as a participant observer fully immersed by living and working full time on board for a 6-month period. Gathered data consisted of participation, observation and reflection for the duration, and 49 semi-structured interviews with individual nurses. Document analysis and one focus group was also included.
Results:
Collecting data whilst working clinically and living within the confines of a mobile hospital ship docked in a developing nation presents specific challenges. These include being fully immersed as a researcher in a setting where one lives and works, limitations of space and privacy, sporadic access to communication by phone and internet, challenges withdrawing from the intensity of the tasks at hand, and navigating blurred boundaries between clinician-researcher role.
Conclusion:
The process of social research, despite best intentions and planning may not always travel the path that the researcher expects his/her rational inquiry to follow. Prior awareness of challenges can help prepare the researcher for the navigational path of data collection and ensure integrity to the ethical principles are adhered to.