Disposition, logic and method in qualitative research: An inquiry in African philosophical psychology

Abstract

I argue in this essay that a) the disposition of a researcher could influence their method, b) and disposition as a psychological category could present a steep challenge in qualitative research, especially where logic and ethics are not given serious consideration in the formulation and deployment of a method. As a tool that drives research, a method is supposed to provide the parameters for objectivity and accurate examination of reality. This can inspire confidence that the outcome of a given research would be credible. But what are the chances that some of our cherished qualitative methods could lean more towards subjectivism than objectivism? I will examine the basic components of qualitative methods to determine, whether or not, a psychological underbelly exists, which, when not addressed, poses a steep challenge to the credibility of the research outcome. I will use the conversational method, a formulation in African philosophy, to demonstrate how to formulate and deploy a method to avoid the challenge of personal disposition.