Issues of Equity in Qualitative Research Methods

There is widespread interest in developing approaches in qualitative research that center equitable and just practices. Equity in qualitative research uses research practices and tools that recognize and act against unequal power dynamics between individuals, communities, organizations, and institutional systems. Equitable research includes the lived experiences of those who have been marginalized, along with a critical understanding of the resistance and strength in those who have been oppressed. For researchers, this includes a conscious reflection and action upon their own biases, power, and privilege.

Scholars recognize the need for discussion on ways to support equity in qualitative research methods. Novel issues of equity in qualitative research will be explored within approaches (e.g., decolonizing methodologies, feminist autoethnography, counternarratives, trauma-informed, etc.), concepts (e.g., racial equity, social justice, traditional ecological knowledge, etc.) and populations (e.g., homeless/houseless, child offenders, LGBTQIA+ Individuals, Indigenous women, etc.).

This roundtable session will begin a dialogue about the building of an encyclopedia that addresses the range of topics on issues of equity in qualitative methods from the perspective of social work scholars. Presenters will focus on discussing insights from the encyclopedia entries they are editing, along with acknowledging the contributions from social work theories and research. For example, one presenter will discuss methods that center social justice, and another presenter will discuss emancipatory praxis and critical reflexivity in qualitative research. Another presenter will focus their insights on decolonizing methodologies and racial equity. Lastly, a presenter will overview insights from trauma-informed approaches and equitable research with indigenous women in qualitative research. Our goal is to promote the understanding and application of equitable and just practices within qualitative social work scholarship and research.