Pearls, pith, and provocation. In the thick of it: a reflective tale from an Australian social worker/qualitative researcher

Abstract

Engagement in qualitative research incorporating feminist principles means that researchers must view themselves within the research boundaries and actively render transparent their own research experiences. This researcher explored motherhood with 50 adoptive mothers across Queensland, Australia. This article describes in detail her motivation for undertaking the study and some of her personal thoughts about, and experiences with, qualitative, feminist, women-centered research.