Living with other women's lives: 'research resonance' in the context of life history interviewing

This article reflects on the ways researchers are affected by their engagement with the stories they encounter in research. It proposes the notion of 'research resonance' to capture the experience of living with research participants' stories, and by extension, their lives. The article draws on data collected for the 'Girlhood and Later Life' project, which investigated youth experiences and transitions to adulthood of women born between 1939 and 1952 in Britain. Reflecting on examples from a music elicitation exercise and life history narratives, the researchers on this project explore and conceptualise their experience of living with 'sociological memories'. Their accounts address how life history researchers may be challenged or affected on a personal level through their professional practice. The article concludes by outlining the key implications of 'research resonance' for the craft of analysing life-course interviews.

Automated summary

This article explores the impact of researchers' engagement with the stories they encounter in research, introducing the concept of 'research resonance' to describe the experience of living with research participants' stories and lives. Based on data from the 'Girlhood and Later Life' project, the researchers reflect on their experience of living with 'sociological memories' through music elicitation exercises and life history narratives. Their accounts address the personal challenges and effects of life history research on a professional level.