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Many contemporary psychoanalytic authors discuss the scientific status of their discipline. The general tenor of these discussions is that psychoanalysts should concentrate on the scientific foundations of psychoanalysis. This work is necessary in order to assure the position of psychoanalysis within its classical domain of application (clinical work) and within an academic context. In both domains psychoanalysis is often criticized on not being scientific. A remarkable trend in these discussions is the tendency to reduce science to statistically based research. Another remarkable trend is that especially non-Anglo-Saxon European psychoanalysts criticize this tendency (cf. Dreher, Perron, Green in: Sandler et al.). According to them the field of science is broader than statistically based research. Several theories in the philosophy of science support this point of view (Dreher). Specific alternative research strategies within the domain of psychoanalysis nevertheless are to be developed.
In this paper I reflect on one alternative approach: qualitative interview research. First of all, I consider qualitative research, and secondly I relate it to psychoanalysis in general and especially to Lacanian psychoanalysis. As you will see, on the one hand I agree with the idea that psychoanalysis should question and study its scientific status by means of research. On the other hand, I think that the kind of research we engage in should be in accordance with a broader theory of the relation between science and psychoanalysis.
I think the considerations I propose can help us in developing a research methodology that fits psychoanalysis in its application to psychological, social, cultural studies.
Outside of the evolutions within psychoanalysis, methodologists have developed a number of research strategies for the social and the human sciences known as qualitative research. Within this field, different methodological and theoretical approaches co