THE REFLECTIVE DIALOG AND REPERTORY GRID - A RESEARCH APPROACH TO IDENTIFY THE UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION OF NURSING, MIDWIFERY OR HEALTH VISITINGTO THE THERAPEUTIC MILIEU

This paper seeks to demonstrate the use of two research methods within the interpretive paradigm: the reflective dialogue and the repertory grid. At first sight, the use of these two methods might appear contra dictory; however this paper seeks to demonstrate the complementary fas hion in which both techniques elicit rich and contextualized data. Bot h methods use extended interviews to illuminate practitioners' percept ions about their unique contribution to the therapeutic milieu. The ap proach primarily seeks to identify how practitioners' perceptions alte r in the light of contextual change and seeks to enable practitioners to identify their developmental needs to meet future challenges. Funda mental assumptions underpin the approach: reciprocity, the equality of researcher and participant, and that research can be an act of empowe rment and education. These issues are explored throughout the paper wh ich closes with an invitation to add to the debate about the evolution of such an approach.