Abstract
Creative research, “tends to resist binary or categorical thinking,” and can gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Just both? Why stop there? The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) disregards traditional mixed methods research conventions. It Queers methodology. After intersecting concurrent qualitative and quantitative modes, it wanders and stretches into a practice-based mode. It is in the culminating creative practice-based mode that signals identified in the qualitative and the quantitative datasets are compared, scanned, probed, mined, and leveraged using a new futures method I call data-driven speculation. Data-driven speculation is a practice-based research method. Data-driven speculation uses signals as sparks in the generation of possible, plausible, probable, and/or preferable futures. Queering is a problem. The phrase and its meanings are complex and emergent. The word ‘Queer’ is etymologically rooted in different and strange. Queer contrasts traditions, norms, and binaries. Queer is neither a fixed nor a singular idea, as its meanings continue to evolve and expand. I use a verb form of Queer, it takes action, Queering. Futures is a problem. The word ‘futures’ is etymologically rooted in time and change. Futures resists knowing and certainty, connecting instead with imagination and play. Futures is neither a fixed nor a singular idea, as its meanings continue to evolve and expand. I use Futures in plural, a multiplicity, as in infinite possible scenarios. Queering Futures is a purpose. If traditions, norms, conventions, binary thinking, and dominant paradigms have landed us in perpetual hierarchy and oppression, scarcity and fear, and layers of harm and crisis in the 21st century, then Queering Futures offers some relief. The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) is a purpose. Queering Futures is operationalized through this novel research framework. The initial Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype integrates nested research studies focused on underrepresented Queer impressions and Queer attitudes, illustrating and detailing elements and procedures used in a research flow. The Queering Futures Framework prototype qualitative research mode centers LGBTQIA+ impressions and voices. Queer impressions of futures are explored in the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype qualitative mode. The Queering Futures Framework prototype quantitative research mode centers LGBTQIA+ attitudes and scores. Queer attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI), a phenomena likely to infuse futures, are measured in the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype quantitative mode. As a research framework the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) does have safeguards. These are assumptions that must be met by the researcher involved. These safeguards include authentic Queer lived experience and/or authentic Queer direct experience. What this means is that a Queering Futures researcher is connected with Queerness (through their own lived experience), or is able to connect with Queerness (through the research participant criteria). These connections mean that the researcher is in touch with Queer lived experience The initial Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype operates as a collection of thought-experiments, a proof of concept, and a research model. In these roles it provides ideas to build on, orientations and guidance for those interested in doing formal research, and courage by example for those who want or need it.
Keywords
Co-design, immigrant health, mental health, intersectionality, service ecosystem design
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.725
Citation
Westbrook, J.(2023) Queering Futures with Data-Driven Speculation: the design of an expanded mixed methods research framework integrating qualitative, quantitative, and practice-based modes., in De Sainz Molestina, D., Galluzzo, L., Rizzo, F., Spallazzo, D. (eds.), IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 9-13 October, Milan, Italy. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.725
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
doctoralpapers
Included in
Queering Futures with Data-Driven Speculation: the design of an expanded mixed methods research framework integrating qualitative, quantitative, and practice-based modes.
Creative research, “tends to resist binary or categorical thinking,” and can gather both qualitative and quantitative data. Just both? Why stop there? The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) disregards traditional mixed methods research conventions. It Queers methodology. After intersecting concurrent qualitative and quantitative modes, it wanders and stretches into a practice-based mode. It is in the culminating creative practice-based mode that signals identified in the qualitative and the quantitative datasets are compared, scanned, probed, mined, and leveraged using a new futures method I call data-driven speculation. Data-driven speculation is a practice-based research method. Data-driven speculation uses signals as sparks in the generation of possible, plausible, probable, and/or preferable futures. Queering is a problem. The phrase and its meanings are complex and emergent. The word ‘Queer’ is etymologically rooted in different and strange. Queer contrasts traditions, norms, and binaries. Queer is neither a fixed nor a singular idea, as its meanings continue to evolve and expand. I use a verb form of Queer, it takes action, Queering. Futures is a problem. The word ‘futures’ is etymologically rooted in time and change. Futures resists knowing and certainty, connecting instead with imagination and play. Futures is neither a fixed nor a singular idea, as its meanings continue to evolve and expand. I use Futures in plural, a multiplicity, as in infinite possible scenarios. Queering Futures is a purpose. If traditions, norms, conventions, binary thinking, and dominant paradigms have landed us in perpetual hierarchy and oppression, scarcity and fear, and layers of harm and crisis in the 21st century, then Queering Futures offers some relief. The Queering Futures Framework (QFF) is a purpose. Queering Futures is operationalized through this novel research framework. The initial Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype integrates nested research studies focused on underrepresented Queer impressions and Queer attitudes, illustrating and detailing elements and procedures used in a research flow. The Queering Futures Framework prototype qualitative research mode centers LGBTQIA+ impressions and voices. Queer impressions of futures are explored in the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype qualitative mode. The Queering Futures Framework prototype quantitative research mode centers LGBTQIA+ attitudes and scores. Queer attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI), a phenomena likely to infuse futures, are measured in the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype quantitative mode. As a research framework the Queering Futures Framework (QFF) does have safeguards. These are assumptions that must be met by the researcher involved. These safeguards include authentic Queer lived experience and/or authentic Queer direct experience. What this means is that a Queering Futures researcher is connected with Queerness (through their own lived experience), or is able to connect with Queerness (through the research participant criteria). These connections mean that the researcher is in touch with Queer lived experience The initial Queering Futures Framework (QFF) prototype operates as a collection of thought-experiments, a proof of concept, and a research model. In these roles it provides ideas to build on, orientations and guidance for those interested in doing formal research, and courage by example for those who want or need it.