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Gathering Layers of Meaning in Context

  • Alice BrownEmail author
Chapter
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Part of the Palgrave Studies in Education Research Methods book series (PSERM)

Abstract

This chapter starts by discussing a particular mindset and considerations for selecting the right tools for the right job, so that the combination of which will support the co-construction and a rich portrayal of the multiple ‘layers of meaning’ of individuals within contexts. The chapter offers a range of tools that researchers may wish to consider, adapt, and or combine, to support their quest of inquiry focussed on young families and its members, with the intent of ‘giving flesh’ to participants’ stories. The chapter showcases a range of popular and innovative qualitative methods, the careful selection and combination of which might serve to support inquiry that seeks to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the idiosyncratic experiences and motivations of young families. The methods, carefully selected and shared, are particularly effective in generating ‘context-dependent knowledge’ and supporting the type of inquiry that recognises the situatedness of human behaviours.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Faculty of Business, Education, Law and ArtsUniversity of Southern QueenslandSpringfield CentralAustralia

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