In this workshop participants will be introduced to approaches and techniques underpinned by a constructivist philosophy which fits within an interpretivist paradigm. As well as having a potential contribution to their doctoral work they may find it a coherent and unifying approach to research and, indeed, to living and learning beyond the PhD. It is particularly suitable for those wanting to explore attitudes and beliefs, others’ perspectives and understandings of their worlds and issues related to identity.

Using Personal Construct Theory (PCT) as an exemplar of a constructivist approach, with others used as contrasts throughout, the history of the development and overarching philosophy of these approaches will be summarised, followed by an introduction to key concepts. Through demonstrations, thought experiments and other activities, participants will experience a selection of the techniques in action. Participants will be introduced to appropriate research designs to encompass this approach and its range of methods and data analysis techniques to help them decide if they would find it fruitful to engage in further exploration. It will also provide understandings on which to base an argument for the rejection of such approaches.

Participants will be expected to engage actively in this workshop which seeks to illustrate how researchers can come to understand the world as experienced by their own research participants.