Qualitative inquiry, reflective practice and jazz improvisation

Abstract

This paper, based on my PhD empirical study, suggests that qualitative investigations, seen as reflective practices, have much in common with – and probably much to learn from – jazz improvisational practices. The complex processes of hermeneutic understanding include laying bare the researcher’s pre-understanding as well as, in the interpretation of statements, the dynamics between their holistic coherence and the agent’s intentions. Through interview excerpts, the important phenomenon of breaks in the conversational flow is shown to have great significance to qualitative inquiry as a reflective practice, pointing to improvisational practices as relevant providers of solutions to the problematic dynamics of understanding, pre-understanding, self-understanding and misunderstanding.

Keywords:

• qualitative inquiry
• reflective practice
• jazz
• improvisation
• knowledge construction

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on a doctoral dissertation project carried out at Lund University, Sweden. Many thanks are due to the supervisors, Professors Petter Dyndahl and Liora Bresler, who have contributed to the author’s learning in the field of qualitative research and reflective practice. Grateful thanks are also due to the two informants, Amanda Sedgwick and Lena Willemark, who generously agreed to the inclusion of their interview statements in this paper.