Reemergent Scientism, Postmodernism, and Dialogue Across Differences

The reemergence of a narrowly defined “scientifically based research” that marginalizes qualitative approaches represents a major threat to qualitative research. A postmodern perspective not only challenges this essentialist definition of “science” but also critiques tendencies of qualitative researchers to essentialize proponents of “science”. These arguments raise the issue of dialogue across the differences between researchers working in different paradigms. Such dialogue can promote a better understanding of the value of qualitative research; it can also sensitize qualitative researchers to the importance of validity concerns and alternative interpretations in their work. Addressing the latter issue strengthens the argument that at least some qualitative research can be fully “scientific” without giving up the essential characteristics of qualitative inquiry.