Multiple scripts and contested discourse in disseminating research findings

Disseminating research findings locally, nationally and internationally is complicated and sensitive. International teams of researchers have to navig ate and wind their way through multiple agendas, scripts and discourses, Th is leads to contested discourses concerning the meaning and relevance of fi ndings, often expressed through disputes over the use of language. There is a need to consider local, national and international sensitivities, struct ures, policies and ideologies and to negotiate a shared awareness and under standing of these differences. The case study presented here is drawn from an international collaborative research project in the area of maternal, re productive and child health in the Middle East. Issues of difference arose in relation to the nature of the research, the significance of the findings , the terminology to be used when referring to the groups of people being s tudied or when presenting data, The importance of the political and social context of the research and research teams was as relevant as the research design, data collection and findings.