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Beyond bare bones: critical, theoretically engaged qualitative research in public health

Au-delà du minimalisme : pour une recherche qualitative critique et théorique en santé publique

  • Special Section on Qualitative Research: Invited Commentary/Commentaire invité
  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

While qualitative inquiry has been a part of the Canadian Journal of Public Health (CJPH) for many years, CJPH does not yet have the reputation as a home for qualitative research that has a critical focus and that is cqqqonversant with contemporary developments in social theory and qualitative methodology. This paper describes efforts to establish CJPH as a welcoming home for critical, theoretically engaged qualitative research in public health. The paper introduces the Special Section that heralds the forward vision for qualitative research at CJPH. We specify what we mean by critical, theoretically engaged qualitative research and make the case for its significance for public health research and practice. We describe changes made in how qualitative manuscript submissions are handled at CJPH and highlight the contribution to public health scholarship made by the articles that comprise the Special Section. We issue an invitation to the public health community to support and participate in our vision to enhance critical, theoretically informed qualitative research in public health.

Résumé

La Revue canadienne de santé publique (RCSP) a beau publier des études qualitatives depuis de nombreuses années, elle n’a pas encore la réputation d’attirer de la recherche qualitative d’orientation critique, au fait de l’évolution contemporaine de la théorie sociale et des méthodes qualitatives. Nous décrivons ici les efforts déployés pour faire de la RCSP un lieu d’accueil pour la recherche qualitative critique et théorique en santé publique. Nous présentons la Section spéciale qui annonce une vision prospective pour la recherche qualitative à la RCSP. Nous précisons ce que nous voulons dire par « la recherche qualitative critique et théorique » et nous faisons valoir son importance pour la recherche et la pratique en santé publique. Nous décrivons les changements apportés au traitement des envois de manuscrits qualitatifs à la RCSP et soulignons la contribution des articles de la Section spéciale au savoir en santé publique. Nous invitons la communauté de la santé publique à épouser notre vision et à se joindre à nos efforts pour améliorer la recherche qualitative critique et théorique en santé publique.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, York University, Toronto, Canada

    Eric Mykhalovskiy

  2. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Joan Eakin

  3. School of Occupational Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

    Brenda Beagan

  4. Division of Community Health and Humanities, Memorial University, St. John’s, Canada

    Natalie Beausoleil

  5. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Barbara E. Gibson

  6. Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

    Mary Ellen Macdonald

  7. Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada

    Melanie J. Rock

Authors
  1. Eric Mykhalovskiy
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  2. Joan Eakin
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  3. Brenda Beagan
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  4. Natalie Beausoleil
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  5. Barbara E. Gibson
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  6. Mary Ellen Macdonald
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  7. Melanie J. Rock
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Correspondence to Eric Mykhalovskiy.

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Mykhalovskiy, E., Eakin, J., Beagan, B. et al. Beyond bare bones: critical, theoretically engaged qualitative research in public health. Can J Public Health 109, 613–621 (2018). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0154-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0154-2

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