Developing the theoretical basis for service user/survivor-led research and equal involvement in research

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Research
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Service User Involvement

Background:

• Traditional research prioritizes objectivity, potentially excluding service user experiential knowledge.
• Current research structures may not fully integrate mental health service users/survivors.
• Positivist assumptions can create barriers to equitable research participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a hypothesis for systematic, equal involvement of mental health service users/survivors in research.
• To challenge the emphasis on 'distance', 'neutrality', and 'objectivity' in research.
• To explore how reducing experiential distance enhances research quality.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of a hypothesis from a service user/survivor perspective.
• Critique of traditional research values (distance, neutrality, objectivity).
• Analysis of the relationship between experiential distance and knowledge accuracy.

Main Results:

• The hypothesis suggests that minimizing the distance between direct experience and interpretation reduces knowledge distortion.
• Reduced distance can lead to more accurate, reliable, and valid research findings.
• Experiential knowledge of service users is crucial for high-quality research.

Conclusions:

• Proposes methods to reduce both objective and subjective distance in research.
• Aims to improve research quality through greater inclusion of direct experience.
• Facilitates equitable collaboration between service users and non-service user researchers.