Heuristic Inquiry

Nevine Sultan

April 2018 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Focused on exploring human experience from an integrative perspective, Heuristic Inquiry: Researching Human Experience Holistically presents heuristic inquiry as a unique phenomenologically aligned, experiential, and relational approach to qualitative research that is also rigorous and evidence based. The author describes a distinguishing perspective of this research that treats participants not as subjects of research but rather as co-researchers in an exploratory process marked by genuineness and intersubjectivity. Through the use of real-life examples illustrating the various processes of heuristic research, the book offers an understanding of heuristic inquiry that is straightforward and informal yet honors its creative, intuitive, and polydimensional nature.

“A must-read for anyone interested in qualitative research.”

Graham Bright, York St John University, UK

“This text provides a valuable service to novice and experienced researchers through its straightforward, yet complex and nuanced approach to heuristic inquiry.”

–Joseph McNabb, Northeastern University

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Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Chapter 1: What Is Heuristic Inquiry, Anyway?

A Brief Recent History

The Purpose of Heuristic Inquiry

Essential Feature

• Exercise 1.1. Sensing Into and Expressing a Rough Understanding of Heuristic Inquiry

Processes and Phases

Limitations of Heuristic Inquiry

Closing Reflections

Chapter 2: Locating Heuristic Inquiry Within Contemporary Qualitative Research

Relationship to Phenomenology

Bricolaging with Similar Qualitative Approaches

Grounded Theory

Essential and Distinguishing Features

Bricolaging Grounded Theory With Heuristic Inquiry

Narrative Research

Essential and Distinguishing Features

Bricolaging Narrative Research With Heuristic Inquiry

Feminist Research

Essential and Distinguishing Features

Bricolaging Feminist Research With Heuristic Inquiry

Closing Reflections

• Exercise 2.1. Exploring the Labyrinth

Chapter 3: Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Heuristic Inquiry

Why Do We Learn About Theory?

Heuristic Inquiry as an Empirical Process

• Exercise 3.1. Exploring the Subjectivity8Objectivity Continuum

Heuristic Inquiry as Qualitative Research

Heuristic Inquiry as Social Constructivism

Ontological Assumptions

Epistemological Assumptions

Axiological Assumptions

Methodological Assumptions

Rhetorical Assumptions

Heuristic Inquiry as “Phenomenologically Aligned”

Philosophers Whose Work Inspired Heuristic Inquiry

Edmund Husserl

Martin Buber

Carl Rogers

Abraham Maslow

Michael Polanyi

Eugene Gendlin

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Closing Reflections

• Exercise 3.2. Exploring Other Ways of Being and of Knowing

Chapter 4: Heuristic Processes and Phases

The Seven Processes of Heuristic Inquiry

Identifying With the Focus of Inquiry

• Exercise 4.1. An Empty Chair Experiment to Facilitate Identifying With the Focus of Inquiry

Self-Dialogue

Tacit Knowing

Intuition

Indwelling

Focusing

The Internal Frame of Reference

• Exercise 4.2. Six-Step Focusing Exercise to Clear an Inner Space

The Six Phases of Heuristic Inquiry

Initial Engagement

Immersion

Incubation

Illumination

Explication

Creative Synthesis

The Heuristic Phases in Action

Maintaining a Heuristic Attitude During the Research Journey

• Exercise 4.3. Needs Self-Assessment Exercise

Closing Reflections

Chapter 5: Heuristic Research Design

Becoming Aware of a Topic and Formulating the Research Question(s)

Conducting the Literature Review

Timing Your Literature Review

Reviewing the Literature

Preparing for the Study

Writing a Heuristic-Friendly IRB Proposal

Creating a Set of Guidelines for the Study

Creating Generic Content and Forms

Selecting, Inviting, and Securing Co-Researchers

General Sampling Considerations

Sample Size

Building Rapport and Trust

Closing Reflections

Chapter 6: Heuristic Data Collection, Organization, and Analysis

Data Collection

Interviews

Preparing for the Interviews

Embodied Relational Interviewing

Disruptions in Flow

Time and Structure Considerations

Where and How

Researcher and Co-Researcher Artifacts

Researcher Journals

Winding Down Data Collection

Data Organization and Management

Immersion8Incubation8Reflexivity

Creating Verbatim Transcripts

Data Analysis: Theme Illumination and Identification

Following Clear Procedures

Honoring Content and Context

Deciphering Potential Themes

Organizing Themes According to Research Questions

Maintaining Discipline

Data Analysis: Theme Explication

Individual Depictions

Composite Depictions

Exemplary Portraits

Creative Synthesis

Closing Reflections

Chapter 7: Relationality, Reflexivity, and Meaning-Making

Relationality

Shared Experiential Learning

Connecting, Disconnecting, and Reconnecting

Empathy, Resonance, and Intersubjectivity

Honoring Difference and Conflict

Negotiating Power and Privilege

Advancing Empowerment, Agency, and Social Justice

Reflexivity

Approaching Reflexivity Holistically

Evaluating Values, Beliefs, Biases, and Attitudes

• Exercise 7.1. Exploring Our Own and Others’ Values

Locating Oneself Within the Research Process

Demystifying the Role of the Researcher

Using the Journal as a Reflexive Tool

Meaning-Making

• Exercise 7.2. Exploring a Personal Dilemma Using the Reflexive Journal

Closing Reflections

Chapter 8: Evaluating the Research: A Collaborative Process

A Primer on Heuristic Evaluation

Defining Rigor and Trustworthiness/Goodness

Evaluation Criteria

Credibility

Transferability

Dependability

Confirmability

Evaluation Strategies

Evaluating the Integrity of Your Heuristic Study

Heuristic Evaluation as a Shared Experience

The Importance of Reflexive Leadership in Evaluation

Closing Reflections

Chapter 9: Writing a Living Manuscript: An Embodied Relational Approach

Components of a Heuristic Manuscript

Title

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction and Clear Articulation of Topic and Research Questions

Theoretical Framework

Rationale for the Study

Comprehensive but Concise Literature Review

Method

Co-Researchers

Materials and Procedure

Data Collection and Analysis

Findings

Discussion

Limitations

Conclusions and Future Directions

Embodied Relational Writing: Balancing Rigor With Intriguing Writing Style

• Exercise 9.1. Experimenting With Embodied Relational Writing

Promoting Social Justice, Action, and Transformation

Writing a Publishable Heuristic Manuscript

Closing Reflections

Chapter 10: Ethics of Heuristic Research

Understanding Ethics

Core Ethical Principles and Codes

Facets of a Heuristic Study That May Prompt Ethical Concerns

Informed Consent

Research Methodology and Design

Relational Boundaries With Co-Researchers

Transparency

Researcher Competence

Addressing Emergent Ethical Dilemmas

Consulting Discipline-Related Ethical Codes

Using an Ethical Decision-Making Model

Engaging Researcher Reflexivity

• Exercise 10.1. Exploring and Addressing Emergent Ethical Dilemmas in Heuristic Research

The Perils of Researching Sensitive Topics: Maintaining Researcher Well-Being

Closing Reflections

Chapter 11: Universal Applications of Heuristic Inquiry: Bridging Research and Living Experience

Using Heuristic Inquiry Formally in Various Disciplines

Education

Political Science and Government

Health Care

Conflict Transformation

Counseling and Psychotherapy

Engaging Heuristic Inquiry Informally

Closing Reflections

Chapter 12: An Ending8Beginning

Appendices

Appendix A: Sample Cover/Invitation Letter

Appendix B: Sample Demographic Information Form

Appendix C: Sample Informed Consent Form

Appendix D: Sample Instructions for Interview Meeting

Appendix E: Sample Semi-Structured Interview Protocol

Appendix F: Sample Semi-Structured Interview Protocol With Examples

Appendix G: Preparing for and Recording Interviews (Sample)

Appendix H: Open-Ended Relational Probing and Prompting

Glossary

References

Index

Key features

KEY FEATURES:

The book’s readability and accessibility make it a perfect fit for graduate level qualitative research courses across disciplines in the social sciences, education, and health professions, as well as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners.
Exercises, figures, tables, and other pedagogical features allow for higher engagement with the content/methodology, and enhanced comprehension and retention.
Explanations and examples offer different perspectives that allow for higher accessibility and multiple approaches to understanding the content and/or applying the methodology.
Questions for Reflection offer readers an opportunity to personally engage with the content and negotiate their own perspective before conducting research.