Researching with Feeling: The Emotional Aspects of Social and Organizational Research

'This vibrant and truly fascinating collection of essays opens up the normally hidden backstage of doing organizational research. Going well-beyond the familiar ritualistic nods towards reflexivity, the authors delve into the complex emotional and social terrain of the research process, emphasising the dynamics of power and identity that are in play. It will be invaluable reading both for graduate students and more experienced researchers in organization studies and social science.' - Christopher Grey, Professor, Royal Holloway, University of London, UK.

`At last! - a research methods book that acknowledges, and even celebrates the fact that researchers are human beings with feelings and emotional attachments. Outing the insecurities in research relationships and in the interpretation of data will reassure new researchers that they are `normal'. I wish this book had been available when I was struggling with my PhD research.' - Michael Humphreys, Professor, University of Durham, UK.

'The book is an excellent and timely contribution to understanding researcher emotion, which will resonate with any reader who has, even only occasionally, ventured into this field of operation. It exposes the academics' very worst fears, but it provides a coping mechanism too - that this is not a lonely endeavour and will provide solace and sustenance to researchers at any stage of their careers.' - Christine Coupland, Professor, Loughborough University, UK

'This book is a `must' read for anyone with an interest in emotions in organizational research, honest explorations of the research journey, and social science inquiry sensitive to feeling.' - Andrew D. Brown, Professor, University of Bath, UK

'The significance of researchers' assumptions and preconceptions in the production of social science is now widely acknowledged. This book extends such reflexivity to the emotions - that is, to the emotionality of the researcher, not just the emotions of research `subjects'. Its contributors offer a series of illuminating insights into all phases of research as an emotionally charged roller coaster ride fuelled by beatific (e.g. self-doubt) and horrific (self-aggrandizing) fantasies. The chapters thereby open up a dimension of research activity that, to date, has been largely disregarded in reflexive and sophisticated discussions of methodology.' - Hugh Willmott, Professor, Cardiff University, UK

'Attractively and accessibly written, this book provides welcome reassurance that the emotional highs and lows experienced in the research process are `normal'. The vignettes will strike a chord with students and experienced researchers alike. A book to return to time and again.' - Sarah-Louise Weller, Phd student, University of Bath, UK.

'[Until now] The researcher's emotional life - fears, anxieties, blocks, conflicts, oppressions and joys - are private matters and are to remain in the closet. Refreshingly, this book challenges this outlook...This edited collection grapples with these issues, breaking the taboo that surrounds looking inwards at the researcher and research experience.' - Foreword by Steve Fineman, Professor, University of Bath, UK