Qualitative Inquiry, Ethics, and Politics of Evidence

Abstract

Just as qualitative research is “endlessly creative and interpretative,” qualitative researchers find themselves in the position of having to be endlessly creative and interpretive with respect to the various spaces they move in and out of as they conceptualize, conduct, write, and report their research. Some of these spaces are shaped by new and mutated forms of “old” regimes of truth based in audit culture, others by refracted forms of methodological fundamentalism and imperialism emanating from without but significantly also increasingly from within, writing and talking about qualitative research. Navigating and moving in and out of these spaces creates tensions but also possibilities for qualitative researchers. This article aims to encourage a focus on better understanding these spaces.