By: Rosie Waxman
When we think about meaningful research, we often imagine p-values, diligent objectivity and supervisors who serve their purposes better in a haunted house. Yet, we also try to quantify something that often feels unquantifiable- - empathy. Diligent empathy is about bridging compassion with rigor, ensuring that the people behind the data are never forgotten.
What is Diligent Empathy?
What do you wish we would ask you? This is one of my favorite questions to ask participants and caretakers. Empathy involves recognizing both verbal and nonverbal cues and showing a genuine willingness to listen, in whatever form that answer might come. Sometimes, the way we answer can change throughout our lives, often influenced by major life changes, changes that could very well be what qualifies them to join your study. In research, diligent empathy means intentionally integrating this understanding into every step of the process, from designing studies to interpreting results. It’s about recognizing that research is not just about the trends, but about the stories that those trends represent.
Why Does Empathy Matter in Research?
Practicing diligent empathy in research means considering ethical implications and protecting participants’ dignity and privacy, allowing participants to feel more comfortable opening themselves up to intervening challenges, meaning more accurate data and more reliable findings. Research guided by empathy is more likely to address real-world issues, ensuring meaningful impact. It also builds trust, especially with minoritized or misrepresented communities, fostering collaboration and inclusivity.
Okay, I Get It! What Does Diligent Empathy Look Like, Really?
Empathy requires intent. Engage with participants by really listening to their perspectives, not just responding. Ask open ended questions, be fully present and appreciate the precious pieces of themselves they share. Respect their cultural backgrounds, avoid assumptions and be aware of your own biases. Reflect on how your views might shape your research to keep it ethical and empathetic. Most importantly, whenever possible, include target populations in the research process- - let them help shape questions, methods and data analysis. Even after the study is done, stay in touch, share your findings in a way that’s accessible and think about the impact of your work in the long haul.
My Take and a Half
For me, for example, when developing an assessment battery for aphasia-related word-finding difficulties, I wasn’t just focused on creating a tool. I was invested in exploring cognitive and emotional development in relation to self-expression, understanding how individuals with aphasia experience their communication challenges and how these challenges affect their daily lives. This, and considering the demographic of most stroke survivors, guided me to design a more culturally sensitive and effective assessment tool that reflected the needs of the people it was intended to serve.
Even now, contributing to Research Girl has reinforced the importance of empathy in education on research. I aim to create an inclusive environment where all voices are valued. This commitment to empathy-driven research practices is something that extends beyond the margins.
Challenges of Diligent Empathy
Of course, practicing empathy in research isn’t always easy- - but maybe that’s how we know it’s important. Sometimes, it can actually be really hard to balance empathy with objectivity, to navigate cultural differences or to manage our “emotional” batteries.
Conclusion
By making empathy a cornerstone of our work, and practicing it with due diligence, we ensure that our research is not only righteously rigorous, but also exceedingly ethical. In a world where evidence-based practice shapes everyday life, it’s important we do it right. Your diligence is ≤.05.
Comments