This working group begins from an understanding of the hierarchies within social science research methods which delegitimize the qualitative methods that address equity and social justice, and speak from “epistemologies of the wound” as Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez explains. Meetings will offer participants opportunities to collaboratively gather a knowledge-base of race, class, gender, and queer-based epistemological issues, particularly in the field of educational research.
While quantitative methods serve an uncontested value in research, critical qualitative methodologies bring a complexity and nuanced understanding of the formations of power that define the material reality of marginalized communities. The aim of this group is to contribute to the epistemological diversity on-campus by supporting efforts to engage emerging qualitative research methods, and stimulate future research collaborations.