Welcome to Research Philosophies in Qualitative Inquiry, a podcast dedicated to exploring the diverse theoretical standpoints that shape qualitative research. In this series, we will delve into research philosophies beyond positivism, which will be addressed in greater detail in a forthcoming book.

This podcast emphasizes the critical role that a researcher’s perceptions, beliefs, and assumptions play in shaping research design. Understanding these philosophical underpinnings is essential for developing a logical and coherent research project.

We will explore a range of perspectives related to social constructionism, including Postmodernism, Critical Theory, Feminist Theories, Critical Race Theory, and Queer Theory. These frameworks generally view reality as socially constructed and focus on issues of power, marginalization, and justice.

Additionally, we will contrast these views with various forms of Realism, such as naïve and critical realism, which assert that reality exists independently of human perception. We will also discuss Pragmatism, a flexible approach that prioritizes methodological choices based on the research’s purpose rather than strict adherence to a single philosophical stance.

Join us as we navigate these complex ideas, fostering a deeper understanding of how philosophy informs qualitative research and enriches our inquiry into the human experience.