Michelle J Searle, OCT, PhD

This thumbprint is one way to position myself within the work of alternative approaches to qualitative research. A qualitative paradigm is appropriate for research that seeks to describe, explore, and understand.

 

Qualitative evaluators and researchers tend to employ a range of interconnected interpretive methods (Foster, 2007). This range of methods is critical because there is no single method that can capture the complexity that exists (Patton, 2002).

 

The use of artistic qualitative methods and introduction of interpretive arguments requires attentiveness and mindfulness during the research process. Using alternative approaches to qualitative research and embedding these within more traditional paradigms has an effect on creating new ways of engaging within the field of evaluation.