Introduction

In the introductory chapter to Situating Qualitative Methods in Psychological Science, I describe the current optimism for the integration of qualitative methods into disciplinary psychology, while, at the same time, I take stock of the theoretical and practical challenges raised by this emerging methodological inclusiveness. In my estimation, the main challenges to the integration of qualitative methods in psychological science, a consideration of which forms the backbone of this volume, are the following: (1) the relationship between quantitative and qualitative methods; (2) the scientific status of qualitative methods; and (3) the contribution of qualitative methods to psychological knowledge. Although there are good reasons for optimism, the future shape of the field doesn’t depend solely on the willingness of those committed to the qualitative project. But, the success of this emerging methodological inclusiveness also relies upon the willingness of mainstream quantitative researchers to adopt these critical arguments or, at the very least, to engage with them. It is my hope that this volume will become a focal point for dialog and debate that reorients our understanding of the production of psychological knowledge.