Epistemological Oppression and the Road to Awakening

Abstract

Increasingly, it is becoming evident that qualitative research methodologies have much to contribute to producing health knowledge. Notwithstanding such advances, some would say the “paradigm war” continues, privileging postpositivist epistemologies. Our own experiences working within a post-positivist-dominated health research arena inspired the implementation of an “Epistemological Boot Camp” qualitative research training series. The central goal of the boot camp was to query the hypothesis that we are still in a paradigmatic “war zone” while imagining productive ways to both survive and thrive in the current climate. Moving forward, our hope is that our boot camp methodology can inspire other scholars to develop creative local initiatives that provide a platform to work toward recognizing the unique contributions of qualitative health research.