The research journey: A Lonely Planet approach

In this article the authors discuss the impact of research on a neophyte researcher and the research supervisor. The methodology which is applied throughout this article isautoethnographic narrative. It represents retrospective reflection on the part of theauthors and thus to some extent is about retrospective meaning making. It centres uponthe identities of the writers as they narrate their story and in that process, develop newvoices as the narrative emerges from the 'performative aspects of research'. Research in the article is likened to a journey. Within the metaphor of a journey specific theoreticalelements are discussed and contribute to an interpretive framework for deepening theunderstanding of the research process. The elements to be discussed include Giddens'(1984) concept of the double hermeneutic and also his concept of knowledgeability. Other key elements are interactivity, recognition of identity and reflection. The purposeof this article is to share with other people engaging with the culture of research, 'our thoughts, feelings and experiences as a means of understanding the social world or someaspect of it' (Hesse-Biber & Leavy, 2006, p.xxii).