Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines various theoretical and philosophical dynamics of advocacy. It argues that advocacy within research is rooted in the origins of qualitative inquiry and the emergence of new forms of qualitative inquiry, including critical theory and autoethnography. The book focuses on the theme of holistic restorative justice, or the process of authenticity and transparency to get to the bottom of the horrible en-masse episode or institutionalized system and to reestablish accountability human beings have to each other in institution, community, or society. It also focuses on methodological concerns, especially related to multi- or mixed-method research. The book discusses triangulation within the context of research on/with vulnerable populations. It also discusses the differences between battling Othering and enhancing it within the research act of a social change agenda, one that is a decidedly political activity.