Desystematisation of Collaborative Qualitative Research: Reaching Clarity by Embracing the Messy

This challenge paper proposes desystematisation of qualitative research descriptions to enhance collaborative interpretation. Qualitative research is often messy but the descriptions of it aim to follow academic conventions, which seldom allow room for describing the research process as it truly takes place. In collaborative work, individual interpretations of the research and data can enrich each other and lead to new ideas and realisations, but too strict systematisation (e.g. fixed coding rules) may obstruct this process. This paper is an example of a desystematised collaborative interpretation process, and a reflective process description exercise is presented as a means to support collaboration. The paper highlights the need to embrace the messy in qualitative research to enhance a creative collaborative practice.