Can We Teach Methods That Transgress? Emancipatory Perspectives and the Praxis of Research

Abstract

Research concerned with advancing the goals of social justice can have a profound impact on the use of qualitative methods. The purpose of this research was to examine ways doctoral students challenge, embrace and consider epistemology, impact, and validity in designing qualitative research studies. Doctoral students are at a unique advantage when it comes to exploring epistemological paradigms in emerging research. The nature of shared dialogic spaces allows for uninhibited conversations to occur that access long-standing debates over validity and criticisms of subjectivity in qualitative research. Doctoral students engage in discussions about research and grapple with ontologies, epistemologies, and axiology of research questions. In turn, this strengthens their understanding of the impact of emancipatory perspectives in research.