Interpretation and scientific validation in qualitative research

This paper focuses on methodological implications linked to comprehensive and phenomenological epistemology and proposes mechanisms for its scientific validation. To seek in individuals the guiding meaning of their actions ("what I do" and "why I do it"), challenges the scientific practice, namely the conditions for knowledge production and the access to and interactions with individuals. Especially regarding intensive-qualitative methodological strategies, not only researchers are observed as they observe, but also need to know how to deconstruct narratives shielded by common ideas. The solution lies in a methodological articulation involving the capability to equate contextual objective conditions with individuals' production of meaning of action. In these cases, scientific validation closely links to rationalizing about the conditions of access and stay in the empirical field, as well as about individuals' production of their discourse, for which we propose strategies to better rationalize and deal with the role of interpretation in scientific praxis.