A INVESTIGAÇÃO QUALITATIVA COMO UM MOTOR CENTRADO NA REFLEXÃO E NO CONSTANTE REPENSAR DO QUÊ, COMO E PORQUÊ FAZEMOS O QUE FAZEMOS

Abstract

The latest trends in qualitative research clamor to include practices that are ever more creative, more visual, more critical, more reflective, more collaborative, and even more multimodal. Rethinking and validating qualitative research as a more integral practice revives the original celebratory feeling related to qualitative research in its most intimate dimension: humanity. Why do we undertake qualitative research? Essentially, we engage in qualitative research to understand more and to understand better. In becoming closer to our humanity and the constructivist experiences that shape us on a daily basis, we forge ourselves as qualitative researchers in the constant search for the very meaning of the social phenomena relevant to our realities. 

 Human, ever more human.

 Part of this human reality must bring with it significant doses of individual and collective reflection, of closeness to other latitudes, of constant criticality, of the systematic questioning as to the what, how and why of our qualitative research. We must investigate more on upcoming future trends so that they can form part of the conversation in the present. This conversation must include discussion about the effective and ethical use of communication and information technologies. It must question our data collection and analysis processes. Are we promoting free, safe, artistic, and symbolic spaces for our participants to explore their experiences and perceptions? Should we rethink the interview as an official mechanism for the collection of in-depth data? Could we think about other data collection techniques in which the participants can become the true protagonists of their own realities? Do we dare to rethink new trends that could guide participants in representing their realities more organically? As qualitative researchers, we must open ourselves to more participatory processes at community and regional levels; we must open the door to internationalization. We must, in turn, internalize conductive practices of reflective and critical questioning to challenge our own biases. Could the ethical and conscientious driving force in our work revolve around our self-awareness, our taking into account our own positioning in qualitative research studies? Could we celebrate open mindedness, embracing difference and embodying humility as fundamental pillars for those of us who dare to do qualitative research?

 Humble, ever more humble.