The Qualitative Open Mic Qualitative Controversies: Johnny Saldaña on blue collar qualitative research
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Jan 15, 2025 
Johnny Saldaña, Professor emeritus of Arizona State University and a trailblazer in qualitative inquiry, discusses his controversial stance on blue-collar qualitative research. He challenges the elitism pervasive in academia and advocates for the inclusion of diverse voices. Saldaña shares insights on the dangers of academic jargon, pushing for clearer communication to foster accessibility. He emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and multidisciplinary approaches in qualitative research, ultimately calling for solutions that resonate with the communities studied.
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Academic Pretension Prioritizes Theory Over Utility
- Johnny Saldaña argues academic pretension often prioritizes philosophy over practical help.
- He wrote Blue Collar Qualitative Research out of anger at conferences where research felt like "mental masturbation" rather than utility-driven work.
Blue Collar Roots Shaped Research Perspective
- Saldaña recounts his blue-collar upbringing and how it shaped his respect for working-class voices.
- He contrasts easy rapport with truckers and janitors against dismissive reactions from some doctors at conferences.
Jargon Can Be Disconnected From Practical Impact
- Saldaña criticizes jargon-heavy post-structuralist approaches for lacking classroom utility.
- He asked an interviewee how such theory would help a kindergarten classroom, highlighting the gap between theory and practice.