Neale, B. (2021) Fluid Enquiry, Complex Causality, Policy Processes: Making a Difference with Qualitative Longitudinal Research. Social Policy and Society, 20 (4). pp. 653-669. ISSN 1474-7464
Abstract
In this article, qualitative longitudinal (QL) research is presented as a powerful form of fluid enquiry. The combination of its real-world and real-time features enables this methodology to ‘follow reality in all its windings’, and, thereby, to produce useful knowledge for policy and professional practice. The main focus is on the power of QL methodology to illuminate complex causal processes by teasing out their multiple, fluid and relational elements. The article goes on to consider new ways to broker the interface between research endeavours and policy processes, based on collaborative modes of knowledge co-production that unfold in real-time. QL enquiry emerges here as more than an added option, a ‘niche’ approach. It has potential as a valuable ‘impact’ tool for discerning causality in new ways and reformulating insights into ‘what works?’, with scope to play a pivotal role in shaping and facilitating change in policy and practice settings.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © The Author(s) 2021. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Qualitative longitudinal research; fluid enquiry; complex causality; co-producing knowledge; QL impact research |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Sociology and Social Policy (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) RES-000-27-0131 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Aug 2023 09:55 |
Last Modified: | 11 Aug 2023 09:55 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
Identification Number: | 10.1017/s1474746421000142 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:202326 |