Exploring Innovative Research Design and Methodology in the Field of Community Interpreting

Research Seminar Series in Interpreting and Translation Studies Supported by the LCS Strategic Research Development Fund

Abstract
The design of community interpreting research studies can incorporate triangulation of research data using different methodologies in order to test or explore the same phenomena from different perspectives (Hale & Napier, in press). This approach is typically referred to as ‘mixed methods’ (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie, & Turner, 2007) or ‘multi-method’ research (Brewer & Hunter, 2006), and is particularly popular in social science research. Some researchers would consider this as one of the major research paradigms equal to, and alongside, quantitative and qualitative paradigms (Johnson, Onwuegbuzie & Turner, 2007) that “provides increased power of persuasion and strengthened claims to validity” (Brewer & Hunter, 2006, p.xi).

Pöchhacker (2011) considers that the use of mixed-methods research designs in interpreting studies are appropriate in order to account for the level of complexity in exploring interpreting processes and practices. Employing such an approach enables researchers to draw on traditional research methodologies, but also allows scope for innovation in research design. One such innovative approach is the use of a participatory approach to research (Cornwall & Jewkes, 1995), which includes community stakeholders in the research process.

As recommended by Luker (2008), as social science researchers we need to “play out of our shoes” and “think at a higher level of generality” (p.218), which means considering which research method(s) will enable us to answer the questions we have about interpreting.

This paper will present an overview of how mixed-methods have been employed in the study of sign language interpreting in legal contexts, and an example of how a community participatory approach has also been employed in a study of representation and identity in sign language interpreting; highlighting in both cases why these projects employ these innovative methods and the benefits of exploring various approaches to community interpreting research generally.

Speaker’s Bio
Jemina Napier took up the position of Professor and Chair of Intercultural Communication in the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland in February 2013 after spending 15 years of her academic career in the Department of Linguistics at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, where she is now an Adjunct Professor. Her research interests/ expertise focuses around three strands of intercultural communication: (1) language and communication in the context of interpreter-mediated communication. Adopting sociolinguistic, discourse analytic and sociological explorations of interpreting in context to inform the wider field of interpreting studies and applied linguistics; (2) the discourse of everyday and professional talk and the challenges this poses for interpreters; and (3) interpreting pedagogy, using action research to explore aspects of distance education, blended learning, curriculum innovation and discourse-based teaching practices. She has taught, researched and published in all of these areas. She was inaugural editor of the International Journal of Interpreter Education and is still an editorial board member, and co-authored the book: ‘Interpreting Research Methods: A practical resource’ (Bloomsbury) with Sandra Hale (2014).