More than a source of data: rethinking participation in qualitative research

Purpose Participation in qualitative research is often understood as a short-term activity designed to produce data for the researcher. While attention has been given to recruitment, methods and researcher reflexivity, far less attention has been paid to how participation is experienced by those who take part in qualitative research. This study aims to explore how individuals who have previously participated in qualitative research interpret and negotiate their participation beyond the moment of data collection. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 purposefully selected individuals who had previously participated in qualitative social science research. The study centred participants as the subject of inquiry and explored how they made sense of emotional, relational and procedural aspects of participation. Findings A thematic analysis of the data showed that participation is not experienced as a neutral act of data provision. Participants described being personally invested in the research process, contributing with a sense of purpose and reflecting on how their insights would be used after the interview had concluded. Participants experienced the interaction to be emotionally and relationally demanding, where concerns about visibility, obligation, connection and the perceived value of their contribution took centre stage in how participants ascribed meaning to their participation. Research limitations/implications Understanding participation as a relational process suggests that researchers should attend to the emotional and moral demands placed on participants, including what happens after data collection. Originality/value This study adds to qualitative methods by focusing on how participants themselves describe taking part in research. It treats participation not just as a step in the research process but as something shaped by ethics, emotion and relationships. Instead of centring the researcher's perspective, the study highlights how participants experience taking part in qualitative research, something qualitative research has rarely explored in depth.