Curiosity and Serendipity in Qualitative Research
Author
Summary, in English
This presentation argues that we seldom speak of our findings in qualitative research as serendipitous, although we have splendid possibilities to make surprising findings. In order to enhance the chances and sharpen our analyses we have to read broadly but also pay attention to details in our data. We should avoid societal or scholarly conventionality, even be disobedient to recommendations, if
this blinds us to new meanings of our findings. The value of serendipitous findings lies in the fact that they diverge from conventionally held knowledge. Thus, we have to retain our curiosity, with the “strange intoxication” or passion that Max Weber wrote about in Science as Vocation.
this blinds us to new meanings of our findings. The value of serendipitous findings lies in the fact that they diverge from conventionally held knowledge. Thus, we have to retain our curiosity, with the “strange intoxication” or passion that Max Weber wrote about in Science as Vocation.
Department/s
Publishing year
2013
Language
English
Pages
10-18
Publication/Series
Qualitative Sociology Review
Volume
IX
Issue
2
Full text
- Available as PDF - 271 kB
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Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Lodz University
Topic
- Sociology (excluding Social Work, Social Psychology and Social Anthropology)
Keywords
- serendipity
- curiosity
- qualitative methods
Status
Published
Research group
- Kriminal- och socialvetenskapligt nätverk
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1733-8077