Klarina E.M. Ways to achieve synergy in teamwork with an “emergent turn” in research. A Case Analysis

Qualitative research characterized by emergentism is not often discussed in the academic space. A respondent with a high degree of engagement can act as a partner in qualitative research. In addition to participating in the procedure, which each participant is informed about in advance, they can find information that reveals the material presented as an incentive in a different way and share it with the researcher. In this case, the latter is faced with a dilemma: either stick to the previously intended plan and dismiss what he has heard, or take a closer look at the new, suddenly appeared data and take it into account. The solution corresponding to the first option does not require additional effort and costs. The choice of the second option entails several changes in both the content and the organizational aspect of the study. 

In the case under consideration, additional data led to a change in the research topic, and the formulation of a new research question, which called for the introduction of a second series to appear. In the first episode, the respondents were shown a pantomime, which was qualified by the majority as humorous. After watching, the interview was held, in which it was clarified what impression the pantomime produced, what was the respondents’ attitude to it and what sense it made for them. New information changed the context of the situation being studied. In this regard, it was important to familiarize the participants from the first episode with the information received and find out whether the attitude towards the pantomime and the understanding of the meaning found in the first episode had changed. These steps led to a research restructuring, including the work of the expert team analyzing the data obtained while working with respondents. 

The proposed article fascinatingly reveals the consequences of the decision for the project teamwork. The difficulties that arose in a particular case during the emergent turn of the study are described. The ways of overcoming them are formulated. 

Thus, the consequence of the emergent turn of the research was both a second series of interviews with participants on understanding pantomime in a newly discovered context, and changes in the work of the experts who analyzed the interview, as well as the reflection of this work presented in the article. 

Key words: emergent research, project team, analysis, group dynamics

For citation: Klarina, E.M. (2025). Ways to achieve synergy in teamwork with an “emergent turn” in research. A Case Analysis. New Psychological Research, No. 2, 130–144. DOI: 10.51217/npsyresearch_2025_05_02_07

Acknowledgment

We express our great appreciation to the experts who took part in analyzing the data obtained during the research, Olesya Petrovskaya and Ekaterina Korziukova, for their professionalism, teamwork, and thoughtful, thorough analysis of the material. 

We express our gratitude to the volunteer respondents for their time and interest dedicated to participating in the research.