PhD Exegesis
Carey, J 2011, A hospital bed at home : Australian stories of caregiving from diagnosis to death, PhD thesis, CQUniversity.
A Hospital Bed at Home
Carey, J 2010, 'Excerpt and Research Statement: A Hospital Bed at Home', Text, Special Issue No.7, October, ‘The ERA era’
Abstract
This is a 3,000 word excerpt from the story 'Three Steps Behind', followed by a 250 word research statement addressing the background, contribution and significance of the work.
Whose story is it anyway? Ethics and interpretive authority in creative nonfiction
Carey, J 2008, 'Whose story is it, anyway? Ethics and interpretive authority in biographical creative nonfiction', Text, vol 12 no 2
Abstract
When a creative nonfiction story is crafted from someone else's lived experience, striking a balance between the interpretive authority of the writer and the ethical treatment of the subject can be problematic. This paper argues that waving the usual flags about informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity is an ineffectual way of dealing with potential threats to an interviewee's privacy, reputation and sense of self. The ethical quandaries that can arise when using lives as material for writing are discussed in the context of my own attempt to take a non-exploitative, non-maleficent, collaborative approach to the task of producing non-superficial, non-rose-tinted, nuanced accounts of home-based palliative caregiving.
A plethora of policies: Examining creative research higher degrees in Australia
Carey, J, Webb, J & Brien, DL 2008, 'A plethora of policies: Examining creative research higher degrees in Australia', in L.Neave & D.Brien (eds), The Creativity and Uncertainty Papers: the Refereed Proceedings of the 13th Conference of the Australian Association of Writing Programs, UTS, Sydney, 2 September 2009
Abstract
Our recent research project investigated a range of policies on creative theses and
examination guidelines for creative research higher degrees from Australia. Data was collected from twenty-eight Australian universities identified as offering these degrees. Although some institutions continue to subsume creative arts theses under generic criteria, the majority have distinct requirements for the creative and scholarly components and, in some cases, specific examination guidelines. However, the policies and guidelines across the surveyed universities are far from uniform. Significant differences were found in terms of what constitutes a ‘contribution to knowledge’, the description and composition of the exegesis, its relationship to the creative work, and the stated role of the research question in the research degree. Given the variability in policies and guidelines; the continuing lack of certainty in the field regarding the exegesis’s role, function and form; and inconsistency about the meaning and relative importance of key terms such as ‘creative’, ‘original knowledge’ and ‘research’, what frameworks and other information are available to support examiners in their attempt to apply consistent standards? This paper addresses this fundamental epistemological problem with particular reference to the theses in writing, considering if it is possible or preferable to find a standard for a form that is both bifurcated and depends so heavily on practice? We will suggest that there are ways to work towards certainty, equity and professionalism in thesis examination.
Gatekeepers, Process Consent and Real Names: Ethical aspects of writing vivid stories based on qualitative research in palliative care
Carey, J 2008, 'Gatekeepers, Process Consent and Real Names: Ethical aspects of writing vivid stories based on qualitative research in palliative care', in T.Hays & R.Hussain (eds), Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Postgraduate Research Conference - Bridging the Gap between Ideas and doing Research, Faculty of the Professions, University of New England, Armidale, pp. 18-26.
Abstract
Palliative care research is often described as difficult and challenging. This is largely due to ethical issues that arise in dealing with vulnerable patients and families, who are likely to be emotionally and physically burdened by their situation. Gatekeepers who control access to palliative care clients have a reputation for being reluctant to let them be further troubled by requests to take part in research activities. This means that getting a research proposal approved by an ethics committee, or convincing nurses to distribute invitations to participate, may require persuasive arguments as well as careful construction of an ethically defensible research protocol.
My proposed palliative care research will be based on solicited reflective diaries and semi-structured interviews with home-based family carers, and forms part of study toward a PhD in the area of creative nonfiction writing. This paper discusses the ethical issues that were considered in preparing an application for the Human Research Ethics Committees of Hunter New England Health and the University of New England. The discussion of strategies for approaching gatekeepers, ensuring beneficence, and negotiating consent will offer insights for the conduct of any research involving a vulnerable population and a sensitive topic. A dual consent process and giving participants the choice of real names rather than pseudonyms in publications are interesting and distinctive features of my research project.
Role misconceptions and negotiations in small business owner / web developer relationships
Carey, J 2008, 'Role misconceptions and negotiations in small business owner / web developer relationships', Journal of Management & Organization, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 85-99.
Abstract
Small business owners who turn to professional web development consultants for assistance with building a web site may need support not only in terms of the technical aspects of web site implementation, but also in terms of understanding their options for e-business. However, client/consultant relationships within the small business sector can be problematic and the limited research available into small business engagement of web developers suggests that bad experiences and disappointing outcomes are not uncommon.
Interpretive case study methodology was used to explore four sets of small business owner / web developer relationships: how each pair worked together and what they expected of each other. The negotiation and clarification of roles and responsibilities proved to be an essential aspect of the relationships. Also, achieving an adequate level of client involvement in the web site design and development process was a challenge in all cases.
