Abstract
Roy Bhaskar (1998), the British philosopher who spearheaded critical realism once wrote that society was more than a collection of people and that such a conceptualization can be best understood as the express sums of the relationships people and groups hold. Such a stance, he argued, frees us from the strictures of positivist empiricism and the trepidations of post-positive relativism. Instead, critical realism proposes a different understanding of reality; that is, social relations generate from and reinforce particular arrangements that in turn influence social life. These structures, and their corresponding effects, while changeable, are empirically knowable. The inherently provisional and fluid nature of social artifacts requires a qualified appreciation for what is “real” and this ontological position allows us to consider a whole new way to envision pluralistic methodological approaches (see Hood).
In this edition, Rick Hood presents a seminal example for how principles of critical realism can provide an overarching ontological and epistemological framework to promote a pluralistic methodological approach and transform the way researchers produce and interpret qualitative data. Although one need not adopt such a philosophical stance to pursue methodological pluralism, Hood uses it to guide a more comprehensive analysis from data collected from two disparate methodologies—interpretive phenomelogical analysis and critical discourse analysis. In this way, Hood convincingly argues, critical realism could help guide a more comprehensive analysis of complex phenomena easily overlooked due to its temporal and context dependency. Hood’s contribution sets the tone for this edition; many authors employ pluralistic qualitative methods and remind us of the necessity of such methods in advancing principles of “helping”—a fluid, time sensitive, and culturally bound activity—for diverse populations.
Cecilia Ayón and her research group use Community-based Participatory Research and focus groups to unearth culturally sensitive communication strategies for Latino parents to use with their children. By partnering with parents, these scholars were able to highlight protective and pro-social cultural norms that could be used to foster discussions on difficult topics and promote the desired conversations. Such an inclusive approach led to the development of three interactive activities: (a) transforming everyday experiences into opportunities to discuss substance abuse issues (agarra el momento), (b) being proactive about critical issues (hay que adelantarnos), and (c) setting rules and expectations for healthy discussions.
Carmel Laragy and his colleagues used documented principles of information provision from the literature as a starting point in analyzing 143 transcripts. They were able to confirm the validity of widely recognized principles but added two more that could provide a more comprehensive framework for information dissemination to people with disabilities. Their research highlights the need for greater emphasis on gender and hard to reach groups.
Through the use of in-depth narratives, Cheung offers insight into the tensions that arise for social workers who provide remunerative vocational training (RVT) in Hong Kong. In a departure from traditional case work, social workers and clients in RVT assume the roles of supervisor and subordinate, respectively. Such roles undermine the helping relationship as social workers are forced into role confusion as they struggle between caring and controlling their clients.
Michele Jarldorn employs Photovoice to explore one woman’s experience with imprisonment and release. Using Ruby’s (pseudonym) data—pictures taken to highlight what she would like a policy maker to know—the author problematizes pervasive notions about incarcerated women while highlighting the need for better access to health care and assistance in preparing for release.
Aurélie Picot structures her study using theoretical perspectives that guide “new kinships studies” and posits that kinship “emerges from the interplay between biological and social elements.” She analyzed 43 interviews from professionals in Norway and France to compare the meanings they ascribed to biological ties when children are in out-of-home placements. She found that while both Norwegian and French social workers recognized the importance of biological ties, the ways that such ties matter differed and affected the way the social workers maintained child contact and worked with foster care and biological parents.
Aleksa Owen and her group advance a conceptualization of sexual self-advocacy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) based on the Self-advocacy movement that has already empowered IDDs. The researchers used Nominal Group Technique (NGT), which employs a structured group discussion to facilitate brainstorming and problem solving, to understand IDD participants viewed as important aspects to sexual self-advocacy. Their responses underscore the need for mutual respect in relationships, healthy choices, and a claim to be recognized as sexual beings underscored the humanity shared with non-IDD people but frequently overlooked.
Doris Testa and Ronnie Egan reports on an exploratory study conducted on the use of discussion boards and written reflections by social work students during their field placements. Such activities work best in a safe environment, and the study draws attention to the need for explicit and overt structures that ensure confidentiality of the use of discussion boards.