Open AccessFrom reflection to diffraction: exploring the use of vignettes within post-humanist and multi-species research
Author(s) -
Nicholas Jenkins,
Louise Ritchie,
Sam Quinn
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
qualitative research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.285
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1741-3109
pISSN - 1468-7941
DOI - 10.1177/1468794120920258
Subject(s) - humanism , vignette , sociology , epistemology , perspective (graphical) , qualitative research , psychology , representation (politics) , aesthetics , social psychology , social science , philosophy , politics , visual arts , art , law , theology , political science
This article explores the use of vignettes in qualitative research from a post-humanist and multi-species perspective. Drawing on methodological principles espoused by Karen Barad and Donna Haraway, as well as empirical data from the Dementia Dog pilot project in Scotland, UK, we explore the use of vignettes as a technique for understanding human–dog relations in dementia. In so doing, we outline an approach to using vignettes that is guided by principles of diffraction, which is contrasted with humanist principles of interpretivism, reflection and representation. Moving away from humanist methodology, we argue, calls for new approaches to evaluating the quality of vignettes. This involves disrupting conventional approaches, within which vignettes are defined by their purpose and evaluated according to fixed criteria (e.g. validity, authenticity and trustworthiness). In their place, we argue for an approach to evaluating vignettes that is rooted in performativity and guided by the question: What can a vignette do?