Sociology Commons^™

9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Collaborative Reflections On A Practical Journey Through Transcendental Phenomenology Data Analysis, Tyler Kulp, Hissah Alzahrani, Michele Parker

The Qualitative Report

Although transcendental phenomenology is widely recognized in qualitative research, there is limited discussion of how researchers come to understand and apply its methods in practice. This paper examines how reflective collaboration enhances the understanding and use of transcendental phenomenological analysis. It involves the first author, a recent doctoral graduate, the second author, a current doctoral student, and the third author, the doctoral advisor, using a collaborative approach. We draw upon the first author’s dissertation, providing clear, actionable guidance for simplifying the analysis process. The discussion highlights the value of collaborative reflection in making the methodology more accessible and enriching understanding …

"Incredibly Powerful And Well-Crafted" - A Review Of Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity And The Promise Of Communication, Elda Kanzki-Veloso Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

This book analysis, focused on Pandemic Death Discourse: Denial, Disparity and the Promise of Communication (Alvarez et al., 2025), expressed a deeply human expectation from readers. The reviewer wanted more than just straightforward facts; there was a deep yearning for real emotion, personal stories, and meaningful connections that helped people cope with fear and uncertainty. They emphasized the importance of immersing readers in the rich experiences of grief, resilience, and hope. There was a need to feel the heavy impact of overlooked lives. The desire for a sense of outrage regarding the disposable nature of certain lives emerged, as well …

Ethnographic Dilemmas And Reflexive Thoughts Of A Contemplative Jewish Anthropologist, Elazar Ben-Lulu Dr.

The Qualitative Report

During ethnographic fieldwork, anthropologists of religion grapple with various dilemmas regarding their participation in the rituals they study. How do they make real-time decisions between full participation and observational distance? Do they manage to participate harmoniously in religious activities even during moments of doubt or questioning of their own faith? Based on my three-year fieldwork in Israeli Reform Jewish congregations, which included observations and in-depth interviews, I demonstrate how my reflexive experience which exposes my internal Jewish dialogue, shaped my patterns of participation and motivation in engaging with various rituals. This autoethnographic description illustrates that my deliberate abstention or avoidance …

Defining Marketing In The Digital Age: An Opportunity To Advance Marketing Thought And Practice, Norman Mafuratidze, Marius Wait, Ilse Struweg

The Qualitative Report

Our study consolidates and refines diverse marketing definitions that have emerged over six decades to formulate a contemporary definition encapsulating the discipline’s current practices and theoretical advancements. We investigate how diverse conceptualizations of marketing can be synthesized into a modern definition that accurately reflects current practices and theoretical advancements while providing practical guidance. Using qualitative document analysis methodology, we conducted first- and second-cycle coding on existing marketing definitions from academic literature and industry publications, identifying recurring themes through thematic analysis. Our findings reveal that marketing can be effectively conceptualized through the DIVE framework (Dynamism, Interconnectivity, Value co-creation, and Exchange), positioning …

A Not-Quite-Assessment Of Assessing Autoethnography: Ekphrastic Compositions On Quality, Clarity, And (Un)Certainty In Autoethnography, Aaron Hoy

The Qualitative Report

Taking an ekphrastic approach, this essay responds to and reflects on my reading of Assessing Autoethnography: Notes on Analysis, Evaluation, and Craft by Andrew F. Herrmann and Tony E. Adams. It has three parts. First, I summarize the book’s central chapters and discuss their practical uses, especially as prompts for in-progress autoethnographies. Second, using clarity as a point of entry, I explore a tension I felt while reading the book—between the comforting utility of specific criteria and the marginalizing power of criteria themselves. Finally, I share a found poem composed in response to the book and reflect on the impermanent …

Emotion Labor As A Catalyst For Language Teacher Identity Renewal And Well-Being: An Autoethnography, Yasser Aminifard

The Qualitative Report

In this autoethnographic study, I explore how my temporary engagement in emotion labor, triggered by teaching and assessment demands imposed by my university, prompted a renewal of my teaching style and enhanced my well-being. Personal journals supplemented by semi-structured interviews with the university’s vice-chancellor, whose expectations precipitated my emotion labor, served as the primary data sources. Drawing on Engeström’s (2015) activity theory, I analyze the contradictions within my university’s activity system that gave rise to my emotion labor, understood here as the management of the negative emotions and tensions arising from discrepancies between teachers’ professional beliefs and workplace demands (Benesch, …

Catholic Jesuit Evangelisation In India: The Successes And Challenges Of Cultural Accommodation And Inculturation, Sajit U. Kabadi

eJournal of Catholic Education in Australasia

Since its inception as a Catholic religious order in 1540, the Society of Jesus continues to be the prominent instrument of Catholic Mission evangelization in the world. There is no bigger example of this than in the country of India. Given that India is a predominantly Hindu nation, Jesuit Catholic evangelization efforts is remarkably successful as well as revealing of complexity. These successful missionary efforts (in terms of number of conversions and Jesuit influence) have not been without its challenges, questions, controversies, and sacrifices of both the Jesuits and the local Indian people. This manuscript presents a historiography of Jesuit …

Nasis Reference List, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

This document contains citations of articles and presentations that have used NASIS data.

Open Science Is Coming To Theory Construction: The Case Of Document Analysis, Sarah R. Bostrom, Gina L. Levalley, Katrina Cooley, Richard E. Niemeyer

The Qualitative Report

Growing concerns about the reproducibility of scientific findings have led to efforts to enhance the transparency and rigor of social science research. Improving the accuracy and precision of theory development and adopting Open Science practices, such as open data, are widely considered effective means to achieve these ends. However, current Open Science practices primarily target quantitative methodologies and tend to ignore qualitative methods, like document analysis, due to perceived insurmountable obstacles. Since document analysis is often crucial for constructing accurate and precise theories, the inability to integrate Open Science practices with qualitative research methods undermines the effectiveness of these solutions …

Learning How To Interview For Qualitative Research, Kathryn Roulston, Brigette A. Herron, Caprial Farrington

The Qualitative Report

A key component of qualitative methods coursework has been the interview assignment, which typically prepares scholars to conduct in-person, individual, and open-ended interviews. This study examined what novice researchers did and learned during an interview assignment in an introductory qualitative methods course. Interview transcripts and reflections from 12 graduate students who enrolled in an online or face-to-face section of the course were analyzed. Findings review students’ reflections on the process of conducting the interview project, beginning with the preparation phase, what they discussed concerning how the interviews transpired and their experiences of the transcription process. The article reports on how …

Institutionalized Bullying In Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria And Perceived Mental Health Impacts: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study, Chika Bosah, Casey Mace Firebaugh, Tara R. Zolnikov

The Qualitative Report

Institutionalized bullying is when bullying moves beyond individual instances of bullying and is culturally embedded in an institution, such as a school or workplace. This type of bullying has not been thoroughly examined in tertiary school settings in Nigeria. This phenomenological qualitative study examined the experiences of tertiary students (from four different institutions in Nigeria) and their experiences of institutionalized bullying to determine if and to what extent this practice is occurring. There were (n=48) tertiary students engaged in open-ended, semi-structured interviews in Nigeria in 2022. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Overall, this study found that institutionalized bullying …

Exploring Technology-Enhanced Learning: A Comparative Study Of Online And Offline Interactive Practices In The Iranian Higher Education System, Naser Rashidi, Mohamad Reza Farangi, Ali Hosseini

The Qualitative Report

This study explored how interactive teaching and learning are enacted through technology-enhanced methods in Iran’s higher education system. Using an exploratory qualitative design, it investigated the pedagogical strategies employed by instructors and examined whether these practices align with the principles of Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) across online and in-person contexts. Data were collected through the analysis of 263 class reports and 37 semi-structured interviews with university instructors. Thematic analysis using MAXQDA revealed six cohesive and interpretive themes: fostering human connection, empowering student voices, learning as dialogue, adaptive teaching, multimodal engagement, and feedback as dialogue. These themes reflect a holistic view of …

Preparation, Development, And Refinement Of The Interview Protocol In Qualitative Research, David C. Coker, Adebowale Akande

The Qualitative Report

Interview protocols are by far the most common method utilized in qualitative research data collection. Novice and experienced researchers, from working on dissertations to grant proposals or other publications, often lack detailed interview design methods, as many educational programs do not require specific coursework on interview protocols and question development. To improve qualitative research, we make a proposal to incorporate an interdisciplinary approach that operationalizes three stages: preparation, development, and refinement. Preparation involves mapping the extant literature to define broad, narrow, and focused topics to write actionable standards, goals, and objectives. Development uses instructional design and educational psychology to construct …

Schools As Geopolitical Spaces: Violence Against Education During The Bosnian War (1992-1995), Allyson Bachta

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Attacks on education have long been a feature of conflict, yet their strategic use by state and non-state actors remains underexamined. Despite global concern and growing documentation efforts by the international community, the motivations and patterns behind school attacks are not well studied. This project investigates the strategic use of such violence by Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian state and non-state armed actors during the Bosnian War (1992-1995) and challenges the assumption that attacks on schools are simply collateral damage. Drawing from political and anti-civilian violence literature, this study situates schools as both symbolic and strategic geopolitical targets, targeted not only …

Facilitation Of Focus Groups Towards Conflict Resolution Among Pastoralists And Farmers In Northern Uganda: An Indigenous Relational Approach, Francis Akena Adyanga Dr., Norma Ra Romm Prof., Ambrose Dbins Toolit

The Qualitative Report

In this article we discuss how we explored with participants in a district of Northern Uganda certain land-related conflicts between pastoralists (herdsmen) and farmers. Following the end of the conflict in the civil war in Northern Uganda (1986-2006/7), many pastoralists moved from Central and Western Uganda to Northern Uganda in search for pastures for their animals. This has resulted in tension with the host community of farmers. In recognition of these long-standing conflicts and wishing to contribute to their addressal, in 2021 we set up four focus groups drawing on Indigenous relational practices of conflict resolution. We invoked storytelling and …

Characterization Of Undergraduate Biology Instructors’ Goals And Strategies For Implementing Quantitative Reasoning, Anum Khushal

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Quantitative reasoning (QR) is the application of mathematics and statistics to real-life and scientific contexts. It is essential for understanding complex biological phenomena and analyzing large datasets in both academic and professional settings. In response to the growing demand for QR skills, biology educators and researchers have engaged in curricular reforms and education research. This qualitative study explores how undergraduate biology instructors integrate QR into their teaching using a framework informed by pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and QR. The study involved 21 biology faculty from various U.S. institutions who intentionally incorporated QR in their instruction. Data was collected through semi-structured …

Navigating Spaces: Understanding Lgbtq+ Families Who Homeschool Amid Shifting Legislative And Societal Landscapes, Ana Ferrante

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the motivations and lived experiences of caregivers of LGBTQ+ youth who chose homeschooling amid escalating anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the United States. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT) (Deci and Ryan, 1980) and Queer Theory (Chevrette, 2013), the study examined how caregivers navigated educational decisions to construct affirming, identity-conscious learning environments in response to exclusionary policies and systemic marginalization. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with four caregivers residing in politically conservative states in the U.S.. The findings revealed that homeschooling functioned both as a protective measure against institutional harm and as a proactive strategy for fostering …

Don't Settle For Less: Incorporating Postcolonial And Settler Colonial Perspectives Into The Sociological Canon, Eli Xavier Ornelas

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

For decades now, post-/de-/settler-/ and anticolonial scholars have advanced the argument that sociology has largely failed to incorporate critical insights from theories of empire into the sociological canon. In this dissertation, I argue that introduction to sociology textbooks offer an important vantage point from which to assess conventional sociological knowledge as textbooks are often thought to be “reflections of the discipline.” I analyze the social theory and race chapters of 21 of the most often used introduction to sociology textbooks in the United States to investigate two chapters where insights from theories of empire would be present if indeed incorporated: …

Strengthening Qualitative Research With Visualization: A Review Of Visual Displays In Qualitative And Mixed Method Research: A Comprehensive Guide, Dian Permatasari

The Qualitative Report

Visual Displays in Qualitative and Mixed Method Research: A Comprehensive Guide by Elizabeth G. Creamer (2025) offers a new perspective on the use of visualization to enhance qualitative and mixed methods research. This review examines the book’s content, which includes a variety of examples of visual displays (tables, diagrams, models) at various stages of research, from study design to reporting results. The book demonstrates how visual displays can be used not only to report results but also to enrich the research process from planning to analysis. With real-world examples from a variety of studies, the book is a valuable resource …

Itinerarios Y Vicisitudes De Blogueras Colombianas De Lo Materno: Una Etnografía Digital, Catalina Echeverri Gallo

The Qualitative Report

Los escenarios digitales se han convertido en espacios relacionales significativos para mujeres y madres en la contemporaneidad, integrándose en sus interacciones cotidianas. Sin embargo, la forma en que estas plataformas se utilizan en contextos latinoamericanos para compartir experiencias, emociones, aprendizajes y malestares sobre las maternidades aún no ha sido suficientemente explorada. A partir de una etnografía digital, esta investigación ofrece conocimientos contextualizados sobre cómo siete blogueras colombianas comparten sus maternidades en entornos digitales y crean comunidades que se sirven de sus saberes y trayectorias.

Los hallazgos muestran que las madres blogueras utilizan sus relatos digitales para desafiar los mandatos históricos …

Arts & Literature: The Destruction Of Smyrna In 1922: A Conversation With Petros Pourliakas, Author Of Salty Silk, Petros Pourliakas

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

In 1922, the once-cosmopolitan city of Smyrna—modern-day Izmir—was engulfed in flames, marking the end of a centuries-long Hellenic presence in Asia Minor. The catastrophe, which followed the Greco-Turkish War and occurred amidst the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more. In his 2022 book Salty Silk, Greek author Petros Pourliakas recounts the tragedy, focusing on the humanitarian heroism that emerged in the midst of horror. I spoke with Pourliakas about his research, the moral complexities of recounting a national trauma, and the legacy of a …

Exploring Giftedness And The Gifted Learner In Education And Beyond: An Autoethnographic Study With Critical Friends, Katrina Reynen-Woodward, Penny N. Round Dr, Pearl Subban, Edwin Creely

The Qualitative Report

The concept of giftedness is complex, contested and evolving and may be thus frustratingly challenging to apply in practice. One area of emerging research is understanding the personal experiences of those who identify as gifted in order to better represent the myriad culturally diverse conceptions of giftedness that evolve over a lifetime. In this article, I employ an autoethnographic approach to explore aspects of my adult identity as an atypical learner. This journey unfolds in crafted vignettes that reveal the complexities and multi-dimensionality of my learning and are analysed using Gagné’s Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT). As I …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Introduction To Sociology: Research, Dr. Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract:

This chapter explores the profound influence of sociology on understanding community dynamics and its crucial role in societal planning. It reviews how sociological research methods, ranging from qualitative interviews and ethnographic studies to quantitative data analysis, enable researchers to interpret social phenomena, predict trends, and inform policy decisions. Emphasizing the significance of data collection, analysis, and ethical considerations, the chapter highlights the importance of integrating multiple research methods, such as surveys, interviews, experiments, ethnography, and historical analysis, to capture the complexity of human behavior. Through a case study investigating poverty among Black individuals in the United States, the narrative …

Participant Empowerment, Inclusivity, And Social Justice: A Review Of Meng Tian’S Arts-Based Research Methods For Educational Researchers, Niway Ayalew Adimasu

The Qualitative Report

In reviewing Arts-Based Research Methods for Educational Researchers by Meng Tian (2023), I found a priceless resource for contemporary scholars wishing to add cutting-edge arts-based techniques to their qualitative research inquiries. This book offers a thorough examination of how artistic mediums like poetry, theater, and visual arts can be used to investigate the emotional, psychological, and cultural aspects of education that conventional research frequently ignores. It does this by fusing theoretical understanding with helpful advice. The book focuses on participant empowerment, inclusivity, and ethical considerations when working with vulnerable populations highlights the book’s commitment to social justice, making it especially …

Navigating Uncertainty In Doctoral Education, Megan K. Mitchell, Audra Skukauskaitė, Lakelyn E. Taylor, Kathryn Babb, Nicole Narkiewicz, Joseph E. Lloyd

The Qualitative Report

The shift to more virtual learning during and since the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted in-person doctoral education by limiting opportunities for face-to-face academic socialization, networking, and collaborative learning, prompting questions about how graduate students could sustain their scholarly development through online spaces. This study examines how graduate students who joined the Qualitative Research Club, a virtual interdisciplinary student organization, co-constructed a shared academic culture, or languaculture, through their interactions. Using an Interactional Ethnographic approach, we analyzed video and audio recordings, meeting artifacts, and discourse from club meetings to trace members' participation, identity development, co-construction of knowledge, and development of …

Qualitative Research Methods In English Medium Instruction For Emerging Researchers: A Book Review, Dewi Bernike Tampubolon

The Qualitative Report

This review discusses the book Qualitative Research Methods in English Medium Instruction for Emerging Researchers, edited by Samantha M. Curle and Jack K. H. Pun, published in 2023. In this review, I provide a summary of the book's content as well as an overview of each chapter that includes theory and case studies from different countries. I also discuss the structure and organization of the book, including its strengths and weaknesses. The review concludes with an evaluation that the book is a very useful resource and practical guide for early career researchers, supervisors, EMI practitioners and scholars in the …

Interviewing Refugees And Asylum Seekers: Study Guidelines For Forced Migration Researchers, Ahmad Al Ajlan

The Qualitative Report

This study develops guidelines for conducting qualitative research with refugees and asylum seekers in Western host countries by examining how participants' vulnerabilities should inform research practices. The guidelines are derived from a critical review of literature on qualitative research with vulnerable groups, particularly refugees, and the author's experience as a forced migration researcher with a displacement background. The study underscores how asylum seekers' vulnerabilities, shaped by acculturation challenges and exposure to trauma in their countries-of-origin, during their asylum journeys, and in host societies, influence both the interview process and the dissemination of findings. Key recommendations emphasize the need to account …

Defending The Golden Fleece: A Study Of Disruption And Resilience In The Movement To Defund Public Libraries In Louisiana, Ciel Lane Quebedeaux

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In this moment of societal change and institutional capture, public educational institutions have become sites of contention where national ideological and political debates are carried out in local school and library board meetings across the country. In Louisiana, the creation and expansion of a statewide conservative organization has led to the defunding of public libraries sparked by accusations of grooming and inappropriate programming. In response, local library defenders have created another statewide organization to share information and organizing strategies to combat disinformation campaigns propagated by conservative organizers at local and state levels. This qualitative study includes in-depth interviews with library …