Week 3: Interpretive Knowledge Construction & Transformative Knowledge Creation

Question 1

How did the interpretive worldview emerge?

Answer 1

As a critique of positivist research

Question 2

“Interpretive knowledge construction” may also be referred to as… (4 terms)

Answer 2

-Naturalistic
-Hermeneutics
-Heuristic
-Constructivist

Question 3

How does an interpretive worldview conceptualize knowledge, truth, and reality?

Answer 3

-Multiple realities
-No one truth
-Realities are subjective, relative, and co-constructed
-Realities change over time and context
-Individuals’ characteristics play a role in constructing their reality

Question 4

What is the purpose/aim of research in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 4

-Obtain depth of understanding
-Nuanced descriptions & explorations
-Meaning-making
-Insights and reflections

Question 5

What 5 theoretical frameworks inform the interpretive knowledge construction approach?

Answer 5

-Narrative
-Symbolic interaction
-Relational
-Strengths
-Phenomenological

Question 6

What is the role of researchers in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 6

-Expert with humility
-To be reflective and acknowledge/incorporate themselves into the research process (values, biases, background, etc.)
-To facilitate multiple voices being heard
-To co-construct knowledge with participants

Question 7

What is the role of participants in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 7

-To be aware of the purpose of the reserach
-To offer depth, insight, and meaning through sharing lived experiences

Question 8

What intention does interpretive knowledge construction have regarding change?

Answer 8

-Individual change may occur throughout the research process
-Results may be used to inform change after study completion

Question 9

What are the values that guide interpretive knowledge construction? (5)

Answer 9

-Subjectivity
-Reflexivity
-Transparency
-Co-construction
-Being context-specific

Question 10

What type of reasoning is used in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 10

Inductive (themes emerge from data)

Question 11

An interpretive worldview is aligned with the principles of…

Answer 11

Post-modernism

Question 12

What is the typical methodology used in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 12

Qualitative

Question 13

What are some typical designs of interpretive knowledge construction research?

Answer 13

-Phenomenology
-Ethnography
-Case study
-Discourse analysis
-Constructivist grounded theory

Question 14

What is the typical knowledge/data gathering method used in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 14

-Long, in-depth interviews
-Focus groups
-Documents
-Arts-based methods
-Participant observation

Question 15

What kind of data is collected in interpretive knowledge construction research?

Answer 15

Qualitative (quotes, symbols, photographs, songs, poetry, etc.)

Question 16

How large are samples in interpretive knowledge construction research, and how are they recruited?

Answer 16

-Smaller sample size
-Non-probability, convenience, and purposive sampling

Question 17

How is rigour/quality assessed in interpretive knowledge construction?

Answer 17

Trustworthiness and authenticity

Question 18

What are some methods of knowledge mobilization following interpretive knowledge construction research?

Answer 18

-Research reports
-Academic publications
-Conference presentations
-News releases
-Inclusion of quotes/pictures as evidence of findings

Question 19

What are the four essential criterion for establishing trustworthiness in qualitative research?

Answer 19

-Credibility
-Transferability
-Dependability
-Confirmability

Question 20

What does credibility mean in interpretive research, and what is its positivist equivalent?

Answer 20

Credibility: whether identified themes and patterns accurately reflect the views of participants

Positivist equivalent: internal validity (ruling out alternative explanations to know that research findings reveal the “truth” of the research question)

Question 21

Internal validity is to positivism as __________ is to interpretive knowledge construction

Answer 21

credibility

Question 22

What does transferability mean in interpretive research, and what is its positivist equivalent?

Answer 22

Transferability: the extent to which your audience considers your research findings to transfer to their unique context

Positivist term: external validity (the extent to which research can be generalized outside the study’s sample)

Question 23

External validity is to positivism as _______ is to interpretive knowledge construction.

Answer 23

Transferability

Question 24

What is dependability in interpretive research, and what is its positivist equivalent?

Answer 24

Dependability: whether researchers did what they said they would, had a rationale for each step of the research process, etc.

Positivist equivalent: reliability (consistency/dependability of pre-determined measures)

Question 25

What does confirmability mean in interpretive research, and what is its positivist equivalent?

Answer 25

Confirmability: whether findings are supported by other sources or processes

Positivist equivalent: objectivity (steps being taken to avoid researcher bias)

Question 26

Reliability is to positivism as _______ is to interpretive knowledge construction.

Answer 26

Dependability

Question 27

Objectivity is to positivism as __________ is to interpretive knowledge construction.

Answer 27

Confirmability

Question 28

What are the goals of transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 28

-Facilitating the voices of vulnerable/at-risk populations being heard
-Reducing stigma, discrimination, and power imbalances
-Improved access to services/resources

Question 29

What key term is in many of the steps throughout the interpretive knowledge creation process?

Answer 29

Collaborate (/connect/check-in)

Question 30

What other terms are used for the transformative knowledge creation worldview?

Answer 30

Critical theory, critical social science

Question 31

How does transformative knowledge creation conceptualize knowledge/truth/reality?

Answer 31

-There are multiple realities which are time- and context-specific
-Realities are socially constructed, then fixed within existing structures/power relations
-Individuals’ social locations inform their reality(ies)

Question 32

What is the purpose/aim of transformative knowledge creation research?

Answer 32

-Social critique of dominant regimes
-Transforming oppressive realities by validating lived experience as a source of knowledge
-Restitution, emancipation, and liberation
-Social change and action

Question 33

What theoretical frameworks may inform the transformative knowledge creation approach to research?

Answer 33

Critical theoretical frameworks:
-feminist
-Marxist
-critical race
-anti-oppressive
-structural
-conflict
-queer
-postcolonial Indigenous
-critical disability

Question 34

What is the role of researchers in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 34

-Facilitator & mobilizer of change
-Advocate/activist
-Building equal, trusting, and caring relationships
-Transparency about the research process
-Incorporating reflexivity
-Co-construction of findings

Question 35

What is the role of participants in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 35

-Partners and co-researchers (equals)
-Engage in interactive mutual learning
-Share responsibility throughout the research process

Question 36

What is the intention regarding change in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 36

Individual and collective change both throughout and as a consequence of the study

Question 37

What values guide transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 37

-Value-driven inquiry
-Action orientation
-Power analysis
-Subjectivity
-Reflexivity

Question 38

What type of reasoning is used in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 38

Both deductive and inductive

Question 39

What methodology is typically used in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 39

Both quantitative and qualitative

Question 40

What are some research designs typically used in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 40

-Survey
-Photovoice
-Testimonial
-Feminist oral history
-Foucauldian discourse analysis
-Institutional ethnography

Question 41

What data/information collection method is typically used in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 41

-Questionnaires
-In-depth interviews/focus groups
-Arts-based methods
-Other methods informed by critical theory and implemented using power analysis/relational ethics

Question 42

How is data typically formatted in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 42

Can be quantitative and/or qualitative (counts/numbers, quotes, stories, arts-based)

Question 43

What is the typical sample size in transformative knowledge creation research, and how is it recruited?

Answer 43

-Variable sample size depending on intent
-Non-probability sampling, participant-driven recruitment

Question 44

How is rigour/quality assessed in transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 44

Informed by research goals and chosen methodology. May follow…
-Scientific rigour criteria (validity, reliability, etc.)
-Trustworthiness and authenticity (qualitative methodology)
-Artistic/evocative criteria (arts-based methodology)

But always demonstrates power analysis, structural/historical insights, consciousness raising, relational ethics, and social action

Question 45

What methods of knowledge mobilization are used at the end of the transformative knowledge creation research process?

Answer 45

-Those which focus on community access to findings (plays, community presentations, forums, etc.)
-Research reports
-Academic publications
-Conference presentations and news releases
-Inclusion of statistical information and quotes/photos as evidence

Question 46

What are some examples of transformative knowledge creation?

Answer 46

-Feminist
-Participator Action Research (PAR)
-Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR)
-Peer research approaches
-Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)