Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research

by Jennifer Esposito, Venus E. Evans-Winters

Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research , by Jennifer Esposito and Venus Evans-Winters, introduces students and new researchers to the basic aspects of qualitative research including research design, data collection, and analysis, in a way that allows intersectional concerns to be infused throughout the research process. Esposito and Evans-Winters infuse their combined forty years of experience conducting and teaching intersectional qualitative research in this landmark book, the first of its kind to address intersectionality and qualitative research jointly for audiences new to both. The book’s premise is that race and gender matter, and that racism and sexism are institutionalized in all aspects of life, including research.  Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research  makes those identities and structures central to the task of qualitative study. Each chapter opens with a vignette about a struggling researcher emphasizing that reflecting on your mistakes is an important part of learning. The first chapter introduces qualitative research with a discussion of the history and development of qualitative research, as well as the ways colonization shaped research. The chapters then follow the steps of the qualitative research process, from developing a theoretical framework to addressing ethical concerns, a particularly important chapter given the abuses committed against Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). When students are ready to begin their projects, the book moves to choosing a methodology and constructing good research questions. Only those methods and methodologies that are most compatible with intersectionality are covered in this focused section, including ethnography, narrative inquiry, case study research, and arts-based research, Because students often find data analysis the most challenging part of a study, two chapters cover data analysis in depth. Two final chapters on writing and reflecting on intersectional research close out the process for students. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter help instructors generate dialogue in class or in groups. Race and gender are such an intricate and integral part of human life they can never be isolated.  Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research  shows the novice researcher how to conduct meaningful research that gives voice to all aspects of the human experience.

Genres: Nonfiction, Grad School

224 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2021

About the author

Jennifer Esposito (born April 11, 1973) is an American actress, dancer and model, known for her appearances in the films I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Summer of Sam, and Crash, and in the television series Spin City, The Looney Tunes Show, Samantha Who?, and Blue Bloods.

Esposito was born in Brooklyn, New York, the second of two daughters of Phyllis, an interior decorator, and Robert Esposito, a computer consultant and music producer. She is of Italian descent.

Esposito made her first television appearance in Law & Order in 1996. She then joined the cast of Spin City, where she appeared for two seasons. She also appeared in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. One of her more notable roles was as Ruby in Spike Lee's Summer of Sam in 1999, which was set against the late-1970s backdrop of the Son of Sam murders. Esposito's next films included Wes Craven Presents: Dracula 2000, The Master of Disguise, and the 2004 film Taxi. Her most high-profile film role to date was as Don Cheadle's girlfriend Ria, in the Academy Award-winning film Crash.

Esposito has made television appearances on the series Law & Order: SVU, Rescue Me, and Mercy. She was a regular cast member on Related and Samantha Who?.

Esposito joined the cast of Blue Bloods in 2010, during its first season; she played Detective Jackie Curatola, the partner of Detective Danny Reagan (played by Donnie Wahlberg). In the third season, Esposito entered a dispute with CBS regarding doctor's orders for her to cut back working hours due to her Celiac disease. After collapsing on set, requiring her to miss a week of work, Esposito informed CBS that her medical condition would limit her availability. Rather than work around her limited schedule, on October 20, 2012, CBS announced that her character was being placed on indefinite leave, and ultimately replaced her character. Esposito therefore only appeared in six episodes that season, but received starring billing in all of them.

Esposito announced that she had been diagnosed with celiac disease on The Late Show with David Letterman in October 2011. In 2012, she opened a gluten-free bakery called "Jennifer's Way Bakery" in Manhattan's East Village.

Esposito married Bradley Cooper on December 30, 2006. They filed for divorce in May 2007, which was finalized that November.

In 2009, Esposito became engaged to Australian tennis player Mark Philippoussis. The couple separated in August 2010. In May 2013, she became engaged to British model Louis Dowler.

On April 22, 2014, Da Capo Lifelong Books published Esposito's book Jennifer's Way, which describes her personal struggle with celiac disease.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pivotal, powerful and transformational text

This was assigned for my first year doctoral program for an EdD along with Decolonizing Methodologies by Linda Tuwai-Smith. Both of these should be required reading in all secondary education that involves research. Even programs that center quantitative research would benefit from the wisdom and questions posed in this book. I'll refer back to it throughout my dissertation process.

[Saiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great introduction to intersectional research. As someone who is just trying to understand the frameworks for qualitative studies to be more participant centered yet rigorous, this provides a strong foundation.

[Bridget Haines-Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone intending to use an intersectional lens for their research.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great background and grounding for me as a researcher.

[Eva Steepe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d recommend this to anyone looking to dip their toes into intersectional qualitative research.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

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