A Poetical Journey: The Evolution of a Research Question

Abstract

Rarely does literature make explicit the lessons learned in the journey to a research question. In this article, the authors demonstrate how they have engaged poetry in the evolution of a research question. Poetry has taken them beyond the traditional limits of knowing and allowed them to conceptualize their research questions by situating and locating their selves within their research. By explicating this journey to a research question, the authors hope that others encounter and reflect on an understanding of what it means to make this process transparent and to support ways of enhancing rigor within their particular and locally conceived research phenomena. As well, they hope to inspire scholarly reflection and critique of poetry as a method in the research process.