“The Full Monty”: Taking a Fully Qualitative Approach to Research By Singers, With Singers, For Singers

Abstract

This article extends the scholarly conversation on research within performing arts voice disciplines by exploring how “fully qualitative” research can help bridge the gap between rigorous and relevant research. Fully qualitative research is informed by a qualitative sensibility which values the subjectivity of researcher and participant, and encourages reflexivity, transparency, and criticality throughout the research process. Taking singing voice research as an example, the article presents a reflective review of trends in this field, identifying the dominance of the scientific approach. Fully qualitative research is presented as a way to gain new insights into singing which are unlikely to flow from research using the scientific method. The article outlines how a fully qualitative approach by singers to conducting rigorous research with singers can produce findings which are relevant for singers. While illustrative examples are presented from singing voice research, voice practitioners and researchers from other disciplines are encouraged to consider a fully qualitative approach in their research and to develop an awareness of quality indicators. Fully qualitative voice research complements existing scientific knowledge and has the potential to make significant contributions to our understanding of the role of voice in human life.