Paper 1
Title: Contemporary trends in qualitative research in psychology: Analyzing the contributions of the French and Swiss contexts
Abstract: Methodological issues in psychological research need to be embraced by considering broader ideological debates within the discipline as a whole. This perspective enables an in-depth understanding of the interests that drive research communities epistemologically, ontologically, and methodologically. Moreover, these ideological debates are grounded in changing cultural, social and historical conditions which allow for the implementation of specific sets of scientific priorities to the detriment of others. Given this background, our proposal will focus on qualitative research in psychology in the French and Swiss contexts. Its aim is to analyze key tensions that have historically influenced the development of qualitative approaches in specific ways. Interested in concrete research practices, we will discuss the challenges linked to the expansion of qualitative research in France, under the influence of psychoanalysis, existential psychiatry, and applied clinical psychology. In Switzerland, qualitative research in psychology has started to develop only two decades ago, while clinical methods underpinned by comprehensive logics have been rather implemented for intervention. Today, both contexts seem to face similar challenges regarding a recent renewal of qualitative trends in psychology. Among others, these challenges are: the tendency to evolve towards increased flexibility in the use of methods, a growing interest in mixed methods, and the risk for ‘methodolatry’, by privileging technical usage of methods rather than epistemological coherence. We will conclude by highlighting future directions to strengthen the visibility of qualitative research in psychology. One direction consists of the mapping of research practices and modes of organization across Europe to better benefit from specificities, experiences, and expertise. Another one is the need to move towards a consensus across qualitative research communities in psychology to better define quality research criteria able to respect the diversity, heterogeneity, and creativeness at the core of our scientific work.