From understanding to embracing: A guide on emotions in medical education research: AMEE Guide No. 184

Emotions refer to conscious and subjectively experienced mental reactions that are often associated with physiological and behavioral changes. In the context of medical education research, emotions have a pervasive influence on how various types of information are perceived and processed, and therefore, can influence how research is designed, conducted, and implemented. While there is considerable research on how emotions affect learning, there is little guidance for researchers on how to recognize and potentially leverage emotions while conducting and disseminating medical education research. Emotions can be potentially beneficial for fostering a stronger connection to research, increasing motivation to conduct sensitive research, and enhancing reflexivity and rigor. In this guide, the authors describe how emotions may influence medical education research while assisting researchers on how to recognize and manage emotions during the research process. This guide builds upon existing research to provide a framework for emotional reflexivity in the context of medical education research.