INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

The author writes about the importance of intuition and creativity in the qualitative research project. By discussing lessons learned from well-known creative individuals, researchers find ways to open conversations on creativity. Because the researcher is the research instrument in qualitative research projects, the definition of the role of the researcher is critically important. In addition to all that is already known about the researcher’s role, the author argues for going a step further. The extra step is to reflect on, describe, and explain the intuitive moments and creative moments in any given qualita-tive research project. The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. —Albert Einstein The lunatic, the lover and the poet Are of imagination all compact.... The poet’s eye, in fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; And as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name