Call for papers: qualitative research in psychology

CALL FOR PAPERS
January 2010
Qualitative Research in Psychology

Special Issue: Pluralism in Qualitative Research in Psychology

Guest Editors: Nollaig Frost and Sevasti-Melissa Nolas

Qualitative research methods in psychology are widely accepted. Single method approaches (e.g. narrative analysis, discourse analysis, ethnography, grounded theory, thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis) can be found on their own or in combination with quantitative methods. Less well-explored and debated is the combination of qualitative methods with each other - an approach that can be termed ‘pluralism’. This combining of ontologies and epistemologies gives rise to both benefits and creative tensions and provides a focus for inquiry into enhancing awareness of researcher impact.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an international forum within which the disparate array of questions that are arising about a pluralistic approach to qualitative research in psychology can be posed and debated. Recognising the potential that this approach offers for accessing the different layers and dimensions of a complex and constructed social reality brings with it both curiosity and questions about its ontology, epistemological tenets, theoretical frameworks and practical applications.

We invite contributions from those working with a combination of qualitative research methods in psychology. We are interested in submissions that address a range of ontological, epistemological and practical issues in pluralistic qualitative research in psychology including, but not limited to, the following questions and topics:


How are reflexivity and/or subjectivity managed (or not) in qualitative pluralistic research? What does pluralism do to either?
What is the relationship between pluralism and polyvocality in the research context? Does pluralism guarantee polyvocality?
How does pluralism relate to epistemological (in) coherence? Are there tensions? What are the consequences?
Is pluralism unattainable? Discussion of pluralism in theory and in practice
Practical considerations: research design, data analysis, data synthesis.
What challenges does pluralism pose to the paradigm of the lone researcher?
What are the roles of transparency, rigour and reflexivity when working pluralistically?

While we do not want to narrow the possible contribution we imagine that contributors are likely to be working in a range of applied psychology domains including but not limited to: social, community, health, forensic, and clinical psychology, psychoanalysis, and psychotherapy. Contributors are also likely to be involved in applied forms of research that call for an eclectic and creative use of qualitative research methods. Papers should place a strong emphasis on conceptualising and discussing the issues arising from pluralistic qualitative research in psychology and not merely provide methodological solutions.

To be considered for publication, papers must be electronically received by the Guest Editors by 19 April 2010. Please submit papers as Microsoft Word email attachments to both Guest Editors (n.frost@mdx.ac.uk and s.nolas@mdx.ac.uk). Please prepare manuscripts according to the guidelines for submission of Qualitative Research in Psychology http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/journal.asp?issn=1478-0887&linktype=44