%0 Journal Article
%A Swain, J
%A Spire, Z
%D 2020
%F discovery:10091304
%I FQS
%J Forum: Qualitative Social Research
%N 1
%T The Role of Informal Conversations in Generating Data, and the Ethical and Methodological Issues They Raise
%U https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10091304/
%V 21
%X Arguing that the role of informal conversations in qualitative social and educational research methodologies is contested but also relatively neglected, in this article we set out how the method has influenced our research approaches and practice. We use an example of a conversation between one of us and a participant to highlight their nuanced and specific nature, and to raise and interrogate a number of ethical and methodological issues that emerge. We view informal conversations as opportunities to add "context" and "authenticity" to data and argue that they can unlock otherwise missed opportunities to expand and enrich data. We also consider the role of ethical boards and ethical guidelines, and the practical effects and consequences these have for researchers when they use informal conversations during their fieldwork.
%Z This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The images  or other third party material in this article are included in the Creative Commons license,  unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license,  users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this  license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/