ABSTRACT
The second chapter presents a concise portrait of qualitative research, recognizing three “family resemblances” (Wittgenstein 1953, English translation 1958 § 66–67) that cross this heterogeneous archipelago. These common traits are three: i) the context-sensitivity of data collection procedures; ii) details-focalization; iii) the multivocality of the writing. The chapter goes on to outlining a map of this territory, taking into account Jorge Luis Borges’s assertion (originally formulated by Alfred Korzybski) that the map is not the territory. The chapter closes with a critical presentation of the strength and the alleged weakness of qualitative research.
