La poesía y sus recursos literarios como metodología cualitativa / Poesia e disposotovos literários como metodologia qualitativa / Poetry and its literary resources as qualitative methodology

Resumen: Este artículo describe las principales contribuciones de la investigación poética (poetic inquiry), como una metodología cualitativa crítica para las ciencias sociales y ciencias de la salud. Así, en primer lugar, se exploran las principales tendencias de investigación asociadas al uso de la poesía como forma narrativa; en un segundo lugar, se analiza el uso de ejercicios concretos para identificar el potencial de la estética narrativa en la construcción de subjetividades alternativas como una forma de reconocer la voz de los participantes de la investigación. En un tercer lugar, se plantea una discusión académica y reflexiva sobre la necesidad de uso de esta metodología en las diferentes universidades y centros de estudio en Latinoamérica. Se puede concluir que la investigación poética es una forma crítica de abordar problemáticas comunitarias a partir de la voz de sus participantes. Asimismo, es una metodología que une a los investigadores y sus participantes en un diálogo generativo, que potencia la investigación cualitativa

Abstract: This article describes the main contributions of poetic inquiry as a critical qualitative methodology for the social sciences and health sciences. Are first explored the present research trends associated with the use of poetry as a narrative construction form; in a second, the use of specific exercises is analyzed to identify the potential of narrative aesthetics in the construction of alternative subjectivities as a way of recognizing the voice of the research participants. Finally, there is an academic and reflective discussion about the need to use this methodology in the different universities and study centers in Latin America. It can be concluded that poetic research is a critical way of approaching community problems based on the voice of its participants. It is also a methodology that unites researchers and their participants in a generative dialogue, which enhances qualitative research

Resumo: Este artigo descreve as principais contribuições da pesquisa poética como uma metodologia qualitativa crítica para ciências sociais e ciências da saúde. Assim, em primeiro lugar, as principais tendências de pesquisa associadas ao uso da poesia como forma narrativa são exploradas; Em segundo lugar, o uso de exercícios específicos é analisado para identificar o potencial da estética narrativa na construção de subjetividades alternativas como forma de reconhecer a voz dos participantes da pesquisa. Em terceiro lugar, há uma discussão acadêmica e reflexiva sobre a necessidade de usar essa metodologia nas diferentes universidades e centros de estudo da América Latina. Pode-se concluir que a pesquisa poética é uma maneira crítica de abordar os problemas da comunidade com base na voz de seus participantes. É também uma metodologia que une pesquisadores e seus participantes em um diálogo generativo, o que melhora a pesquisa qualitativa

MS in prose, poems and drama.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Presentations of MS in fictional literature have not been previously researched. This paper surveys and analyses these portrayals of the disease for the first time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant works in English and German were identified by means of keyword searches in online public access catalogues and search engines as well as old-fashioned research. The neurological and literary evaluation of these 7000 pages of text combines qualitative and quantitative methods. RESULTS: Between 1954 and 2012 at least 55 literary works appeared with an MS motif (35 novels, 18 poems, one novella and one drama). The authors were predominantly female and a third of them suffered from the disease. Patients in the novels largely reflect real epidemiology as regards symptoms and disease progression, while diagnostic and therapeutic options play a secondary role. From a literary point of view, 'entwicklungsromane', 'relationship novels' and 'young adult books' can be discerned. MS is often portrayed in metaphoric language as the enemy: a demon, an animalistic being, prison or an abyss. CONCLUSION: The MS motif evidences a medicalization of the literature as well as a literary portrayal of anthropological experiences. Well-written novels can contribute to the de-stigmatization of MS and impart basic medical knowledge.

Psychological effects of poetry workshops with people with early stage dementia: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of writing poetry on psychological functioning in people with early stage dementia. METHOD: A series of poetry writing workshops was conducted with four women, at the end of which a one-on-one short structured interview was conducted. RESULTS: All of the women said that they benefited from the workshops, but their experiences differed greatly. Themes included competence and self-efficacy, personal growth, wanting to contribute and poetry writing as a way of coping with the progression of the condition. CONCLUSION: Creative activities such as writing poetry hold promise for enhancing the quality of life of people with dementia.