Qualitative inquiry is as much a perspective as a set of methods.
The premise that knowledge is a socially constructed phenomenon is a basic starting point in the world-view of qualitative inquiry. Social science knowledge-building within the qualitative framework also embraces the notion that study participants both influence and are influenced by data collection and analysis. Therefore, credible qualitative inquiry depends heavily on constructing categories of meaning grounded in the social realities of study participants. Given the historic stigmatization attached to both consumers and providers of mental health services, empowerment of study participants provides a strong rationale for taking a PAR approach to questions about the field. Doing Naturalistic Inquiry .