Qualitative Sociological Research Methodologies and Psychoanalytic Thinking- Congruence, “Discongruence” and Lacunae

ABSTRACT

Qualitive methodologies and psychoanalysis have much in common as ways to understand the meaning of human experience. However, they each have lacunae, or areas of absence, which other kinds of evidence could be used to fill. Psychoanalysis can be said to lack robust evidence. Qualitative research methods can be criticized for lacking depth and not allowing for the researcher’s impact. This paper asserts that there are additional methods of data analysis which can address these lacunae. They include patterns of silences and pauses, use of quoted speech and congruence and discongruence’ all of which can give a richer analysis of research findings.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Katie Lewis, Child Psychotherapist in independent practice. [Reg Association of Child Psychotherapists].

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jan McGregor-Hepburn

Dr. Jan McGregor-Hepburn is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist in independent practice in Northumberland.

Deborah James

Professor Deborah James is an academic in the School of Childhood, Youth and Education Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University.