Poetry as Method

Sandra Faulkner's thorough and accessible exploration of poetic inquiry in the social sciences synthesizes a mastery of both poetry and ethnographic research. This smart study forces would-be poet-researchers to consider questions of craft and quality in order to improve their work. She argues, quite rightly, that any poem, regardless of the author's prescribed discipline, must strive to become art. Without it, the poet-researcher honors neither the genre nor the reports from the field. In an increasingly interdisciplinary world and academy, this book makes an argument necessary for advancing qualitative narrative study. Just as no one would take the stage at Carnegie Hall without years of practice, no researcher should assume the hubris of publishing poetry without years of practice, study and technique. As a poet, I am very pleased to see this book in the world. --Camille-Yvette Welsch, Poet This is a refreshing book that I would recommend that social scientists read even if they are not planning to write poetry. This is because Faulkner raises important questions about the epistemology of language the tool that social scientists use to communicate their thoughts and research findings.... Books such as Poetry as Method can help extend our understanding and use of language, and offer food for thought regarding how we as social scientists use language (and how we could use it). Venessa May, Qualitative Research This is a refreshing book that I would recommend that social scientists read even if they are not planning to write poetry. This is because Faulkner raises important questions about the epistemology of language - the tool that social scientists use to communicate their thoughts and research findings.... Books such as Poetry as Method can help extend our understanding and use of language, and offer food for thought regarding how we as social scientists use language (and how we could use it). --Venessa May, Qualitative Research this is a refreshing book that I would recommend that social scientists read even if they are not planning to write poetry. This is because Faulkner raises important questions about the epistemology of language - the tool that social scientists use to communicate their thoughts and research findings.... Books such as Poetry as Method can help extend our understanding and use of language, and offer food for thought regarding how we as social scientists use language (and how we could use it). --Venessa May, Qualitative Research