Nos bastidores de uma investigação científica educacional: reflexões e questionamentos metodológicos e intelectuais

In this article we share the ontological, epistemological and methodological aspects of 'backstage' bustle in an intensive study and research journey in the field of adult education, developed in Portugal between 2003 and 2009. The socio-educational reality has been considered in its complexity, plenty of tensions and contradictions. The main option was for a qualitative design, and a crossing between the interpretative-constructivist paradigm and the critical paradigm has been made. We therefore elaborate and reflect upon the methodological strategy to approach the observation field both theoretically and empirically, questioning the different options as well as the choices we made. The text was structured considering (1) the paradigmatic level of research, as well as (2) the technical and procedural one. One of the conclusions, among others, points to the relevance of strong mastery of the different methodological approaches in education research as a key element for the robustness and success of its outcome. It is also acknowledged, however, that the research outcomes can be compromised if the importance of self-reflexivity is not considered, since the researcher is the structuring element of the research process in qualitative research.