Transformative Visions of Qualitative Inquiry: Performative, Philosophical, and Artistic Transformations

I am writing this review, Transformative Visions for Qualitative Inquiry, considering performative, philosophical, and artistic transformations as an essential reading for faculty and students—novice and veteran. It inspires readers, writers, and novice and veteran researchers in various social sciences disciplines and educational landscapes to envision innovative approaches to healing from crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and/or earthquakes. These processes encourage resisting, recovering, connecting, finding joy, and embracing life. Likewise, Transformative Visions for Qualitative Inquiry centers on the concept of transformation and its potential for the future of qualitative research amidst a world grappling with the multifaceted implications of COVID-19, climate change, political unrest, inequality, and various forms of oppression. In these times of uncertainty, distinguished scholars from around the world are looking forward with a rejuvenated sense of optimism while staying rooted in the understanding that there is still much work to be done. So, I realized that research must give rise to the challenges of our hopeful yet ever-changing future. The contributors of Transformative Visions for Qualitative Inquiry ponder a variety of topics, including academic healing, environmental justice, the dominance of higher education and its challenges to critical education, arts-based research such as songwriting, participatory workshops, and auto poetics, disruptions to traditional humanist and Western thought, and explorations of empathy and life writing

Sexuality Research During a National Lockdown: Reflexive Notes and Lessons from my Ph.D. Fieldwork

The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for qualitative researchers since many countries had to implement lockdown policies to control the spread of the virus. Within the South African context, research on sexual minority identities and experiences is automatically sensitive and risky given the extent of intolerance and high regard for heteronormative ideologies and beliefs that continually exclude sexual minorities from the “normal.” The sensitivity is intensified during a national lockdown since there is an excessive reliance on digital public spaces to recruit participants and conduct interviews. Based on the experience of Ph.D. fieldwork, this paper pays attention to a sexuality researcher’s experience of conducting research on gay men’s experiences in the South African military and police services during a national lockdown. Particular attention is given to the dilemmas posed by the government’s restriction on physical movement and reliance on digital spaces, particularly social media to identify gay men who work in the two organizations and form virtual relationships of mutual trust. Ultimately, this paper holds that reflexivity is critical to feminist research on vulnerable sexual minorities when the relationships between the researcher and the researched are established and maintained through digital platforms. While digital spaces offer opportunities to reach vulnerable populations, they present some challenges that may compromise the credibility of the study if not identified by the researcher

An Exploration of the Lived Experiences and Psychological States of Migrants and Refugees

UNHCR reports that about 82.4 million individuals were forcibly displaced as they attempted to avoid persecution, conflict, or human rights violations in their home countries. In addition to traumatic experiences, refugees encounter stressors such as low income, reduced social support, and language barriers. This qualitative study aimed to explore the impact of pre-migration trauma and political detainment on mental health outcomes and living conditions. A total of eight interviewees participated in video conferencing interviews. A non-probability convenience sampling using the snowballing technique was utilized to identify participants. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach for thematic analysis. The software Dedoose was used to come up with codes and the research team refined the codes into distinct themes. Four themes emerged from data analysis: extrinsic barriers, symptoms of psychological distress, coping and help-seeking behaviors, and interpersonal relationships. Results of the study show the intensity and difficulty of experiences faced by participants and the toll it takes on their mental state and family life. The results highlight a lack of resources available to refugees in the United States and a suggestion to further the research efforts for this understudied population

Alec Mayo

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An Autoethnographic Dialogue with Motherhood Literature

This autoethnography represents the first author’s journey as a mother and doctoral student researching mothers’ experiences in contending with the demands of work and family. Reading across different pockets of empirical motherhood literature (work-family conflict, contemporary motherhood, maternal gatekeeping, and intensive motherhood) I became troubled by how women’s realities were reflected. Pushing back against traditional methods that endorse separating my researcher identity from my maternal self, I draw on autoethnographic method to dialogue with this literature. This approach empowers me to speak out as a novice scholar uncomfortable with aspects of literature, while also navigating training in the use of traditional methods that often provide a directive to separate academic and personal identities. Importantly, doing so enables me to identify powerful insights about limitations in the literature, and how specific pockets of research can adversely affect the broader motherhood literature

Paraprofessionals in a Special Education Setting: A Qualitative Exploration of Their Perceptions

Paraprofessionals support teachers and students in the classroom. Their roles and responsibilities vary; however, their goal is always to improve student achievement. The purpose of the study was to fill a gap in the literature related to special education paraprofessionals’ perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs on the support and trainings they receive prior to and during their job as a paraprofessional for students in a special education setting. Generic qualitative methodology was used to capture the thoughts, experience, and perceptions of 42 paraprofessionals across the United States. Data collection included an eight-question online questionnaire. Results of the study revealed five patterns including (a) paraprofessionals are coming in with some training, (b) their ongoing training is not always consistent, (c) the biggest areas of struggle are addressing challenging behavior, (d) their education does not always prepare them for the responsibilities in the classroom, and (e) further support is needed for them to fulfil their responsibilities. After further analysis and synthesis, the five patterns were then condensed into two overarching themes which included paraprofessional training deficits and need for behavior support training. These findings are significant to school leaders and educators in order to properly support paraprofessionals in their roles of ensuring student learning and success

Student of the Month

Julianna Lugo-Serrano Student Pharmacist (\u2724) Puerto Rico Campus Julianna is the faculty-nominated Student of the Month for: Research experience (faculty research assistant, presented research posters at Puerto Rico Pharmacist Association in August 2023 and ASHP Midyear Meeting in December 2023) Community service (organized food drive and supplies for El Comedor de la Kennedy, participated in health fairs at Farmacia Juana Diaz) Advancement of the profession of pharmacy (created BoriFarm podcast, represents the COP at pharmacy meetings) Leadership skills (serves as Dean’s Ambassador, APhA-ASP Liaison, student tutor) Strong academic performance Juliana is an exceptional student and a great representative of our College of Pharmacy. She is very professional, ethical, empathic, and responsible.https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_corx_hof_all/1073/thumbnail.jp

Craig Johnson

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Arienna Milkles

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Milly Yin

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