Plunging into the process: methodological reflections on a process-oriented study of stakeholders’ relating dynamics

Figures & data

Figure 1. Basic ideas of process orientation

Table 1. Overview of particularities and challenges of process-oriented research.

Particularities	Challenge	Strategy applied
Amplification of realities	Making sense of multiplicities and inconsistencies across and within participants’ stories: What version(s) to take into account? Which version of events carries authenticity?	Weaving together competing interpretations of events in an ‘aggregate construction’: reflecting stakeholders’ ‘shared experience’ Dilemma: how to develop an ‘aggregate’ of conflicting accounts on the same event, by the same person?
Shifting positionalities throughout time and across contexts	Positionalities may become embroiled – may create confusion, generate false expectations; shifting positionalities may lay bare conflicting loyalties. How to accommodate different positionalities? How to link up and remain linked up both throughout time and across contexts with different stakeholders?	Multidirected partiality as an attitude: siding and empathizing with each person; giving each perspective due consideration. Dilemma – ‘intervention dilemma’: seizing opportunities to intervene or not?
Historical-aware reflexivity	Historical-aware reflexivity based on the timeline: Focusing on reflection or intervening: historical-aware reflexivity and the timeline as a tool to deliberately intervene?	Timeline as a tool to check and reflect upon both researchers’ and participants’ sense-making. Dilemma – ‘intervention dilemma’: seizing opportunities to intervene or not?