The Rivista Italiana di Costruttivismo (Italian Journal of Constructivism) is a scientific journal; precisely for this reason, we questioned the type of science we want to discuss and the type of language most suitable to convey it. As constructivists, we believe that the focus should not be on the choice between communicative codes—traditionally scientific and abstract, or phenomenological and first-person—but on the pragmatic, conscious, and responsible use of these codes. These topics become particularly relevant when we try to reflect on the core aspects of any scientific journal, the semantic codes of scientific research, and professional knowledge. This issue is particularly significant if the journal is based on the epistemological assumptions of Constructivism, using different languages that express different points of view. In terms of Personal Construct Psychology, each piece of scientific research can be considered an aggressive work of validation or invalidation of an anticipation on a given topic. To be shared with the Scientific-Professional Community of the sector, it must then be reconstructed as a narrative, which often seems impersonal. However, even if aseptic, as a narrative, it is always the synthesis of a story told by someone and between the lines it carries, consciously or unconsciously, the anticipations that have gradually constituted and channelled it.
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The epistemological and personal position of the researcher is considered an important element in the description of the method in many publications in the qualitative area and grounded theory. We believe that in a journal like ours this is not only a tolerable element but indeed scientifically useful and desirable. In a constructivist perspective, declaring one’s semantic and personal conflicts of interest with respect to the work’s theme is a necessary “good practice.” So, what are the foundations of narratives in constructivist research? Recognizing that we are all inevitably semantic stakeholders, i.e., we are all bearers of interests and anticipations as researchers. Being aware of this would allow us to honestly recognize our personal involvement and verify it. We could thus slip from a priori prejudiced and hostile positions on possible meanings to more free, aggressive, and propositional hermeneutic spaces.
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The Rivista Italiana di Costruttivismo aims to gradually build a strong and innovative value proposition in terms of scientific quality, originality of content, professional applicability, active involvement of the practitioner community, and choice of pragmatic use of the semantic code. To create movement in the Scientific Community, we want to promote a collection of humanistic and scientific research and narratives, inviting authors to share not only their professional results but also their statements of intent. We would suggest that authors choose, from time to time, the first or third-person semantic code that allows them more movement, rather than the “theoretically correct” one.
From these premises, the Rivista Italiana di Costruttivismo can address all the various articulations of Constructivism, from the works more oriented towards classical Kellyan Constructivism to more phenomenal research, from “traditional” contexts to new and creative applications of this theory. In this “pragmatic freedom,” based on underlying rigor and aggressive openness, resides our editorial project.