Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons^™

Inside A Multidisciplinary Grounded-Theory Project On Corruption In Ecuador: Navigating And Negotiating Challenges, Maria-Jose Rivera, Paúl Arias-Medina, Aracely Rojas-Lazo, Dolores Sucozhañay-Calle

The Qualitative Report

Studying day-to-day corruption raises hurdles for qualitative teams that cut across methodological, emotional, and ethical domains. Rather than presenting substantive findings on corruption, this article reports a reflexive analysis of those hurdles as experienced by an eight-member, multidisciplinary research team conducting the qualitative grounded-theory phase of the CIRCLE project in Ecuador - a context where discussing corruption often triggers mistrust, discomfort, and political sensitivities. Drawing on 33 meeting minutes and eight researcher stance memos, we applied Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis to team-generated documents to examine how challenges unfolded and were negotiated. We identified three interconnected domains of difficulty. …

Strengths, Struggles, And Hope: Iranian University Faculty Experiences Through The Lens Of Appreciative Inquiry, Mohamad Reza Farangi, Mostafa Bahraman, Roya Movahed

The Qualitative Report

Although Appreciative Inquiry has been widely applied to organizational and educational development, little is known about how it can illuminate the experiences of university faculty in resource-constrained, non-Western higher education contexts. This qualitative study explored how Iranian university faculty members experience their professional lives through the lens of Appreciative Inquiry, with particular attention to the factors that sustain motivation, resilience, and professional purpose. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight assistant and associate professors from diverse academic disciplines, and the data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. The analysis generated eight interrelated themes: ethical academic identity, pride in scholarly …

Emotional Rescue: Junior Women Academic’ Experiences On Emotional Labor And Academic Identity Work, M. Ikhwan Maulana Haeruddin, Sigal G. Barsade, Annisa Ciptagustia

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the emotional challenges and identity work processes experienced by junior women academics as they navigate the complexities of academia. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, the research highlights how gender-based power imbalances, workplace culture, and pressure to meet high expectations shape their daily experiences. The rationale for this study is built on the growing body of research that has documented the unique challenges and barriers faced by women faculty, particularly at the early stages of their academic careers. Studies have consistently highlighted the emotional toll of managing professional identities, negotiating gendered expectations, and contending with systemic biases and exclusion …

Rethinking Methodological Frameworks In Qualitative Comparative Migration Policy Research, Afag Javadova

The Qualitative Report

Capturing the nuanced dynamics of sub-national migration policy requires methodological frameworks that integrate multiple sources of evidence while remaining attentive to context-specific processes. Such approaches are well-suited to tracing interactions among policy actors and institutions within evolving, locally embedded systems of comparative policymaking. This study examines why municipalities operating under similar macro-level conditions pursue divergent policy trajectories in migration governance and demonstrates the analytical rigor and explanatory power of qualitative thematic analysis in accounting for this variation. Drawing on policy documents, archival records, and media sources from Toronto, San Francisco, and Wellington, it employs a hybrid inductive–deductive coding approach to …

Exploring The Stress Coping Strategies Of Indonesian Elementary School Teachers: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Anak Agung Gede Agung, I Ketut Gading, Basilius Redan Werang, Ni Luh Putu Agetania

The Qualitative Report

Teachers play a pivotal role in delivering quality education and shaping students’ future lives. The growing demands and responsibilities on teachers can lead to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion, which threatens their well-being—a condition commonly referred to as work stress. Our study aimed to explore the strategies used by elementary school teachers in Bali Province to cope with work-related stress. This study adopts a qualitative research approach with elementary schools in Bali Province, Indonesia, serving as the research setting. A phenomenological research design was employed, involving 25 purposively selected teachers as participants. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed …

Roles And Strengths Of Therapeutic Recreation Professionals In Service Provision: A Strengths-Based Approach, M. Rebecca Genoe, Linda Ostryzniuk, Kathy Park, Sherri Nelson, Douglas G. Cripps, Donna Boser

The Qualitative Report

Therapeutic Recreation professionals work in healthcare and community-based settings where they utilize recreation and leisure to improve quality of life. Despite their contributions, Therapeutic Recreation often goes unrecognized as an important component of the healthcare team. The purpose of this study was to explore the strengths and successes of Therapeutic Recreation professionals. We aimed to explore how Therapeutic Recreation professionals identify and perceive their roles, and what strengths they use within their roles. Data was collected through 19 individual interviews and eight focus groups with Therapeutic Recreation professionals and analyzed thematically. The theme of “nurturing well-being through leisure” was generated …

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 …

Navigating Identity Tensions And Emotional Struggles: Indonesian Pre-Service Teachers In The Teaching Practicum, Afrianto Daud, Minh Hue Nguyen, Raqib Chowdhury

The Qualitative Report

Despite the critical role of teaching practicums in teacher education, little is known about how pre-service teachers navigate emotional tensions in Indonesia. In this study, we aim to explore the nature of tensions and emotional struggles pre-service teachers face and their coping mechanisms. Seven pre-service teachers from the English Education department at an Indonesian public university were purposefully selected. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews before the practicum and a focused group discussion after the program. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to capture rich, in-depth accounts of participants’ experiences, while thematic analysis provided a structured approach to …

A Qualitative Study On The Barriers And Facilitators Of Integrating Women Into The Firefighting Workforce: Perspectives Of Men And Women, Helen Frazer Ph.D. Candidate, Ellie Lawrence-Wood Ph.D., Miranda Van Hooff Ph.D., Amelia Searle Ph.D.

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the barriers and facilitators of integrating women into the firefighting workforce, with insights drawn from both women and men firefighters in South Australia. The research focuses on challenges and supports encountered during recruitment and long-term retention of women in this male-dominated field. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with paid (career) firefighters, with a thematic analysis applied to transcriptions. Key themes identified included occupational challenges (barriers) such as lack of diversity, perception of women as “diversity hires,” ill-fitting uniforms and equipment, unconscious bias, and the hypermasculine culture of the workplace. Women also tended to cope with workplace …

Group Dynamics Of Solution-Oriented Virtual Teams In Indonesian Startups: A Thematic Analysis, Tri Astuti, Avin Fadilla Helmi, Bagus Riyono

The Qualitative Report

The relationship between employees is currently undergoing quite significant changes. Initially, relationships were formed through direct interaction in traditional teams. However, in recent decades, relationships have not only occurred directly but can also occur because technology and networks, such as virtual teams, mediate them. The change from traditional teams to virtual teams results in changes in relationship dynamics. With this change, the question asked in this study is, how are group dynamics formed in virtual teams? Through this question, the purpose of the study was identified, namely, to develop a theory of virtual team group dynamics in startup companies. The …

Experiencing The First Year Of Covid-19 Pandemic: Feelings And Thoughts Of Emerging Adults, Miljana Spasić Šnele Phd, Ivana Janković Phd, Jelisaveta Todorović Phd

The Qualitative Report

COVID-19 brought many changes in the daily functioning of many individuals, including emerging adults, due to social distancing, stay-at-home orders, and the closure of public institutions, thus representing a threat to physical and mental health. We investigated how emerging adults felt regarding their experience during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were also interested in what they had been thinking about in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic one year after its declaration. To answer these questions, we conducted a qualitative study. The participants included 51 students aged 19 to 28 years old. Conducting thematic analysis six themes related …

“But How Do I Start?” A Beginner’S Guide To Your First Qualitative Project, Jason B. Whiting Phd, Bria Nicole Davies

The Qualitative Report

Many new qualitative researchers feel overwhelmed and struggle to find direction in existing books and articles about qualitative methodology. Qualitative methods have a long history that includes different philosophies, practices, and methods, and there are endless ways to interpret and use these tools within these traditions. This article introduces basic qualitative methods with the intent to guide a first-time researcher through a first social science research project, such as a thesis or dissertation. It frames the process as a five-step journey with guidelines to follow and additional resources that can be accessed related to each phase. Although the craft of …

[Review Of The Book Expanding Approaches To Thematic Analysis: Creative Engagements With Qualitative Data By J. R. Wolgemuth, K. W. Guyotte, & S. A. Shelton (Eds.)], Nazmun Nahar Chaitee

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In Expanding Approaches to Thematic Analysis, editors Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, Kelly W. Guyotte, and Stephanie Anne Shelton introduce an expansive, paradigm-shifting book that reimagines thematic analysis beyond conventional coding methods. This edited volume begins with two presumptions: (1) there are multiple methods of theming data, and (2) qualitative researchers are not necessarily required to code to achieve themes. Through the convergence of various qualitative researchers and early-career scholars, this edited collection pushes thematic analysis into new epistemological territories. The 18 chapters of the book reveal new techniques, such as meditative theming, poetic analysis, and making art, underpinned by theoretical …

Exploring The Practiced Values Of Asta Brata Leadership Style: A Phenomenological Study, Basilius Redan Werang Brw, Anak Agung Gede Agung Aaga, Ni Luh Gede Erni Sulindawati Nlges, I Gusti Agung Ayu Wulandari Igaaw, Anak Agung Putri Sri Aaps, Sandra Ingried Asaloei, Jiang-Bang Deng Jbd

The Qualitative Report

In the ever-evolving landscape of today's world, the realm of leadership finds itself confronted with a tapestry of intricate challenges, each thread contributing to the fabric of modern leadership style dilemmas. In this study, we aimed to explore the integrated values of Asta Brata’s leadership style within the leadership practices of school principals in Bali Provinces, Indonesia. We employed a phenomenological research design and interviewed a cohort of 50 principals from various elementary schools. We subjected the obtained data to thematic analysis and determined four themes: harmony, transformative inclusivity, professional integrity, and moral responsibility. The findings of this study not …

Thematic Analysis Of Using Visual Methods To Understand Healthcare Teams, Muhammad Faisal Ahmed, Konain Ali, Muskaan Mann, Shannon L. Sibbald

The Qualitative Report

In healthcare, teams are essential in solving today’s toughest challenges. However, narrow disciplinary perspectives have limited our current understanding of how teams function in various healthcare contexts. Researchers often rely on traditional survey methods as their primary tool, which can prevent them from gathering comprehensive data. To overcome this limitation, sharing stories and narratives visually allows participants to create representations of their perceptions of team experiences and complex encounters using a variety of approaches. Despite the potential of this method, there is little empirical guidance on how to use it in health sciences research. To address this gap and provide …

Online Criticism Of Parents After Child Accidents: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Kelsi Toews, Jorden A. Cummings, Michelle Mclean, Laura Knowles

The Qualitative Report

When a child is harmed, parents frequently experience condemnation and blame from others. This blame is amplified online. Our online worlds reflect our offline ones, and this negative atmosphere toward parents can influence both parents themselves and societal expectations for parents. Previous research on parental blame has either directly asked people about their blame attributions or utilized hypothetical vignettes. Our thematic analysis expands on this research by analyzing unsolicited online comments left on news stories about two, real-world incidents of child harm: A child who fell into a gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, and a child who was killed …

In What Ways Do Perceptions By Faculty, Students, And Advisors In An Urban University Contribute To Undergraduate Student Success?, Carla Jordan

Dissertations

This study employs a mixed-methods approach to explore perceptions of academic advising among faculty, advisors, and undergraduate students at an urban university in the Midwest, focusing on its implications for student success. Utilizing Creswell’s research design framework, the research integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to understand the relationship between academic advising and student outcomes.

Informed by Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, the study examines how beliefs, behaviors, and environmental factors shape academic experiences and success. It employs the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) from George Kuh’s student engagement framework as a quantitative tool to measure student engagement and …

Thematic Analysis Through Artificial Intelligence (Ai), Prokopis A. Christou Phd

The Qualitative Report

Thematic analysis, a well-enforced qualitative analytic method, is likely to continue evolving with the adoption of AI technologies. This how-to report does not delve into the details of thematic analysis itself, as there are ample existing studies on the topic. Instead, it acknowledges the potential impacts, dynamics, and pitfalls of AI in thematic analysis while offering valuable advice, particularly for novice analysts, on how to incorporate and document AI tools in each phase of a thematic analysis. The author underscores the importance of not allowing AI to overshadow the analyst's critical evaluative and interpretive skills but instead supporting the use …

Barriers And Facilitators To Enhance Interprofessional Education For Rehabilitation Science Graduate Students, Mary A. Riopel, Kimberly Wynarczuk, Taylor Grube

The Qualitative Report

Interprofessional education (IPE) aims to develop healthcare practitioners who work effectively in teams, demonstrate strong communication skills, respect others, and have a working knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of other professionals. Of identified research to date, it is unclear what students perceive as important for effective IPE delivery and learning. The purpose of this study was to identify graduate students' perceptions of facilitators and barriers to learning interprofessional practice using phenomenology. Three semi-structured focus groups were conducted including athletic training, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology students and the transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged about IPE …

Exploring Primary School Teacher Perspectives On Adaptability And Its Links With Classroom Management And Psychological Wellbeing: A Qualitative Inquiry, Robyn Davis, Andrew Holliman, Michael John Burrows, Daniel Waldeck, David Holliman

The Qualitative Report

Teacher shortage is a major concern for educational institutions. One key psychological resource for teachers that may reduce teacher shortage (e.g., prevent burnout, improve wellbeing) is teacher adaptability (i.e., the capacity to adjust to situations of novelty and change). Indeed, teacher adaptability is known to be associated with positive functioning and wellbeing. However, little qualitative research has been conducted exploring how adaptability may be experienced by teachers. The present study set out to explore the unique perspective of a sample of teachers on their adaptability and its links with classroom management and wellbeing. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four primary …

College Student Mental Health In The Covid-19 Era: Results Of An Expressive Writing Prompt, Carissa Daniello-Heyda, Kevin Hynes, Rachel R. Tambling

The Qualitative Report

The novel SARS-CoV-2, or coronavirus, has greatly altered the landscape of college life for students across the United States. The ever-present health concerns and quarantine have been linked to increased anxiety, depression, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To this end, we examined the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychosocial health of college students. We explored the impact of COVID-19 on levels of stress and distress in college students using a qualitative expressive writing methodology. Results of this study suggested that the college students included in the sample were moderately distressed – their scores on inventories of depression, anxiety, …

A Thematic Analysis Of Teacher Experiences During Active Shooter Lockdown Drills, Stephanie F. Dailey, Beth Hosek, Heather L. Walter

The Qualitative Report

Teachers are tasked with ensuring that those under their care are safe and protected, yet the lack of evidence supporting the specific needs and experiences of teachers during active school shooter lockdown drills is alarming. The current study used live-action, virtual reality (VR) technology to simulate 36 active school shooter scenarios to explore teachers' experiences related to lockdown procedures and response protocols. Using thematic analysis and structured qualitative data, 355 descriptive responses from 11 teachers across 396 scenarios were coded and analyzed for explicit and implicit themes and sub-themes. Three overarching themes—humanistic care, enacted care, and professional duty—describe how teachers …

Sustainability Innovation In Small Medium Enterprises (Smes): A Qualitative Analysis, Budi Harsanto, Asep Mulyana, Yudi Ahmad Faisal Mr, Venny Mellandhia Shandy, Muntasir Alam

The Qualitative Report

Prior research suggests that today, sustainability is an important key in innovation. While the integration of sustainability into innovation in large enterprises has been widely studied, research on small-medium enterprises (SMEs) is still lacking. The aim of this study is to understand the sustainability innovation practices in SMEs. We interviewed 30 SME owners and managers in Indonesia and analyzed the data using thematic analysis to understand how SMEs practice sustainability innovation. The findings show that sustainability innovation in the form of product innovation is commonly practiced through the use of more environmentally friendly raw materials and packaging materials. As for …

Biology Teachers’ Perspective On Change Of Curriculum Policy: A Case For Implementation Of “Independent” Curriculum, Kintan Limiansi, Suranto Aw, Paidi Paidi, Caly Setiawan

The Qualitative Report

Curriculum change is one way of adapting education in the face of various scientific and technological developments. These changes lead to different views from numerous educational actors, one of which is teachers. This study aims to explore biology teachers' perspectives on curriculum change in Indonesia. A qualitative phenomenological study with semi-structured interviews explored the biology teachers' perspectives. The interview results were analyzed using the thematic analysis method with ATLAS.ti 22 software to determine themes. The results showed four themes from biology teachers' perspectives on curriculum change, which are (1) the factors affecting independent curriculum implementation; (2) the teachers' concerns; (3) …

Entering Terra Incognita: Adapting Psychotherapists To Work During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Monika Zielona-Jenek, Agnieszka Izdebska, Emilia Soroko

The Qualitative Report

Sudden historical events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may critically change the circumstances in which psychotherapy is conducted. The objective of this study was to analyze Polish psychodynamic psychotherapists’ experiences of working with patients at the onset of the pandemic and hence to understand the process of their coping with the external reality challenges. 183 Polish psychotherapists (160 women and 23 men) aged 26-66 years (average 38) completed a survey about their therapeutic work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed in accordance with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework. Five general themes were identified: (1) Facing a taboo; (2) …

Average Or Outlier? Introductory Statistics Adjunct Instructors’ Beliefs, Practices, And Experiences, Samantha Estrada Aguilera, Erica Martinez

The Qualitative Report

In recent years, the adjunct faculty phenomenon has grown steadily. This research focused on adjunct instructors teaching introductory statistics courses. The purpose of the study was to give a voice to adjunct instructors by allowing them to describe their experiences teaching statistics. We conducted a qualitative study with 15 adjunct instructors of introductory statistics through semi-structured interviews. The participants came from several fields: psychology, nursing, and business, among others. Thematic analysis was used to find themes of statistical anxiety, use of technology in the classroom, lack of curriculum flexibility, and connection to the host institution. Our findings can inform institutions …

Striving For Being In The Line Of Life: Personal Active Ageing Strategies In Iranian Seniors, Fatemeh Raeesi Dehkordi, Ahmad Ali Eslami, Fereshteh Zamani Alavijeh, Hossein Matlabi, Mehdi Nakhodaeezadeh

The Qualitative Report

Active ageing is a multidimensional, relative, and context-dependent concept with different paths and outcomes. This qualitative study aimed to explore personal active aging strategies in a specific context. Following a directed thematic analysis procedure, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 39 seniors (men and women) between the ages of 60-97 years selected with purposeful sampling, data collection and analysis were concurrent. We used directed content analysis to analyze the data from interviews, written narratives, and field notes. The reliability of data was fulfilled following Lincoln and Guba criteria. We stopped data collection when no new concepts were added, and data …

Co-Exploring Meaning In Everyday Life For People In Mental Health Recovery: A Photovoice Study, Siw H. Tønnessen, Ottar Ness, Trude G. Klevan

The Qualitative Report

Research on mental health recovery points to an interdependent relationship between experiences of meaning and experiences of recovery; meaning in everyday life promotes recovery, and recovery promotes meaning in everyday life. In this study we address the following question: What do people with mental challenges find meaningful in their everyday life? To explore this question, we offered disposable cameras to people with mental health challenges and asked them to photograph whatever makes their life meaningful. As part of the collaborative procedure of the study, a competence group contributed to different stages of the research process and the visual data were …

Understanding Thematic Analysis And The Debates Involving Its Use, Hani Morgan

The Qualitative Report

The misconceptions researchers have about thematic analysis lead to various problems, which include publishing papers without mentioning the techniques they used to analyze their data. One reason such problems occur is that thematic analysis has been a poorly demarcated method for many years. Another has to do with the lack of literature on how this method differs from other approaches to research. In this paper, I aim to close this gap by explaining how different versions of thematic analysis vary from each other and discussing the controversies associated with each version. My conclusions are based on an analysis of what …

The Role Of Social Work In Residential Aged Care Facilities: Evaluation Of A Pilot Program In Australia, Jodie L. Lee Ms, Michael Splawa-Neyman Mr, Fiona Mcdermott Associate Professor

The Qualitative Report

In some international settings, social workers are employed within aged care settings. However, in Australia, social workers rarely work in residential aged care facilities. In an innovative program, an Australian health network employed a social worker in an aged residential care facility from 2010 to 2011. In this research we examine and evaluate this program. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders and data extraction from medical records were conducted. Data from medical records and interview transcripts were coded and themes extracted using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified five key themes reflecting the roles performed by the social worker. These …