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Advancing Therapeutic Positive Autoethnography (Theposae): Theoretical Foundation, Framework And Future, Claude-Hélène Mayer

The Qualitative Report

This article presents a brief introduction of the foundations of “therapeutic positive autoethnography” (ThePosAE). It briefly presents how the concept of ThePosAE came to life, how it is defined and framed in terms of its theoretical foundation and what the future of ThePosAE might bring.

An Evocative Autoethnography: What I Thought I Learned About Culture, Power, And Communication As A Hospital Patient: Then, A Surprise Epiphany!, Janet C. Richards

The Qualitative Report

Like all truthful autoethnographies, this is not just a simple story I tell here. Originally, I wrote this narrative describing what I thought was a good example of a relatively new but expanding genre of research and writing entitled evocative autoethnography. However, although I did not know it at the time, some information was missing from my story – even worse-  many of my initial perceptions were incorrect. Through additional  reading, self-reflection, and interviews of family, colleagues, and friends I discovered “autoethnographic writing does not merely tell stories about yourself garnished with details but actively interprets your stories to make …

True Love? Exploring Therapeutic Love Dynamics Utilizing A Positive Dialogical Autoethnography Approach, Madalena Grobbelaar, Elizabeth Reid Boyd

The Qualitative Report

Questions about whether therapists genuinely feel love for their clients sit at the heart of ongoing debates about relational depth, emotional authenticity, and ethical connection in therapeutic practice. While therapeutic love has long been discussed in professional literature, conversations typically focus on client idealisation, transference, or the management of boundaries. Less attention has been given to therapists’ own emotional landscapes, and how they understand, experience, and name the feelings that arise in their work, including those they might describe as love. Using Therapeutic Positive Autoethnography (ThePosAE), the study employs interlocution as a dialogical autoethnographic method in which one author poses …

Introduction To The Therapeutic Positive Autoethnography (Theposae) Special Issue, Claude-Hélène Mayer, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

In our introduction to the Special Issue on “Therapeutic Positive Autoethnography” (ThePosAE) published in The Qualitative Review, we frame the term and concept of ThePosAE, and then we present the eight papers which are published in the special issue, featuring authors from Germany, the US, South Africa, and Australia who share their autoethnographic pieces from or in the context of ThePosAE approach.

Cultivating Gen-Z As Cultural Heirs In The Indigenous Community Of Cireundeu, Sardin Sardin, Ade Romi Rosmia, Mohamad Hadi Ali Mutamam

The Qualitative Report

How do Indigenous leaders teach digital-native youth to value centuries-old traditions? This six-month ethnographic study examined cultural transmission in Cireundeu, an Indigenous Sundanese community in West Java, Indonesia. Existing studies often address Indigenous education and digital youth culture separately, with limited attention to leaders’ perspectives. Conducted from June to November 2024, the study drew on participant observation, interviews with 25 community members, six focus group discussions, and digital artifact analysis. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three interconnected patterns. First, leaders fostered cultural learning through graduated ceremonial participation. Second, elders practiced leader-orchestrated digital bricolage by adapting Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for cultural …

Behind The Screen And Behind The Researcher: Reflexivity In Digital Mental Health Inquiry, Lesedi Kgatla

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this paper is to reflexively examine how researcher positionality, theoretical commitments, methodological choices, and ethical decision-making shaped the interpretation of a previously conducted qualitative study on digital mental health activism. Drawing on my earlier digital ethnographic study of two South African mental health activists who used social media to disclose their experiences of depression, this paper presents a reflexive qualitative re-examination of the research process. The original study identified three themes: visibility through vulnerability, authenticity as activism, and community, connection, and psychoeducation. Rather than revisiting these as empirical findings, this paper examines how they were co-constructed through …

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 …

From Epoché To Essence: A Methodological Chronicle Of Hybrid Phenomenological Data Analysis, Mulugeta Yayeh Worku

The Qualitative Report

This article provides a personal and procedural account of the methodological journey undertaken for a doctoral study on the lived experiences of teacher educators practicing Social Reconstructionism in Ethiopian higher education. Navigating the complex terrain of phenomenological inquiry, the author details a Hybrid Phenomenological Model that integrates the procedural rigor of Clark Moustakas's descriptive method (e.g., horizonalization and imaginative variation) as a structural scaffold, with the interpretive attitude of hermeneutical phenomenology (Max van Manen, Martin Heidegger) as the guiding lens for meaning construction. The chronicle traces a five-phase data analysis process, from the initial challenge of epoché and immersion, through …

Being A Padawan And Mastering The Force: A Dissertation Quest, Papia Bawa

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the experiences of one doctoral researcher and two doctoral peers navigating mentor-mentee relationships through a literary lens, employing autoethnographic methods to capture the nuanced dynamics of guidance, expectation, and emotional labor. Data were drawn from narratives found in reflective journals, personal memos, email exchanges, text messages and conversations with four faculty mentors and two doctoral peers accumulated through the doctoral journey.  The narratives were analyzed using thematic analysis. Using vignettes and incident reports, the research highlights key turning moments in the doctoral journey that shaped perceptions of mentorship, emphasizing both the cognitive and affective dimensions of academic …

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 …

Wage Inequalities In Informal Work: Race, Sex, And Citizenship Among Latino Workers In New York State, Amalia Torrecillas Fernandez

Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies

This report examines wage variation within informal work in New York State from 2016 to 2022, with particular attention to Latino workers. Using American Community Survey data from three five-year periods (2016, 2019, and 2022). The analysis explores how median hourly wages differ by ethnicity, sex, citizenship status, race, age, and nativity.

Informal workers represented 4.6%-4.7% of New York's workforce, approximately 569,000 to 589,000 workers between the years of study. A substantial wage gap persisted throughout the study period. Formal workers earned $18/hour in 2016 versus $12 for informal workers; by 2022, this widened to $24 versus $14, underscoring the …

The Furry Community As A Case Study In Identity-Related Conflict, Patrick Hampton

Graduate Masters Theses

The “furry” community has gained notoriety both on the internet and in physical spaces for the dramatic portrayal of animal-based personas referred to as “fursonas.” This group has become the subject of ridicule and moral concern due to the occasionally controversial nature of the content produced by some members of the community. However, there are many different interpretations both within and outside of the community around what the community entails. In this thesis, I examine how the furry community and the identity of its members is shaped by external pressure or social stigmatization? I answer this through the following three …

The Lived Spirituality Experiences Of Adult Diabetes Patients In Adhering To Treatment, Dwight Mahaputera Marulitua Hutapea

The Qualitative Report

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived spirituality experiences of adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in adhering to treatment. Prior research has indicated that spirituality may influence attitudes toward and adherence to chronic disease management; however, empirical evidence addressing the spiritual dimension among people with diabetes remains limited. Guided by Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 purposively selected participants, equally distributed among Christians and Muslims. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to rigorous phenomenological analysis. Seven themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) spirituality strengthens relationships; (b) spirituality affects choices and outcomes; …

“When I’M Not Heard, I Feel Like I Don’T Matter”: Advancing Equity In Disability Policy Through Critical Participatory Action Research With People With Intellectual Disability, Cris Marchionne

Student Theses

People with intellectual disability deserve a system that offers flexible, timely, and person-centered support — one that is innovative, sustainable, and holistic in enabling them to live fulfilling lives. This qualitative study, grounded in Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR), examines how people with intellectual disability experience participation in decision-making within New York State's disability service system. By centering lived experience, the study identifies factors that facilitate or hinder participation in decision-making and examines structural, social, and policy-related barriers that limit agency. Through six focus groups and a Photovoice project with self-advocates receiving OPWDD services, participants described systemic barriers that limited …

History Repeats Itself – A Discourse Analysis Exploring The Voices Of School Shooting Survivors, Public Perception, And Governmental Response For The Sake Of A Shooting-Free, Nicolette Tran, Frank Gorritz

The Qualitative Report

School and public shootings have been an increasing epidemic in the United States over the last 20 years. We used discourse analysis to provide insights into the conversations, attitudes, and perceptions of public shootings through the analysis of news coverage, magazines, and social media. We found themes associated with growing public despair around governmental lack of response and inevitability of gun violence everywhere, racial and gender disparities of gun violence, and the widespread impact of trauma to gun violence. The results of this discourse analysis indicate how problematic discourse still perpetuates gun violence and trauma in the United States. Implications …

Translating English‑Language Cosmetic Catalogues Into Persian: A Thematic And Content Analysis Of Health Information And Product Marketing Across Cultural Contexts, Afshin Soori, Laleh Khojasteh, Sanaz Mojarrad, Sedigheh Shakib Kotamjani

The Qualitative Report

The translation of English-to-Persian cosmetic catalogues presents unique challenges due to their hybrid nature, combining health communication with marketing language. These challenges, including linguistic inaccuracies, cultural misalignment, and functional inadequacies, can compromise consumer safety and trust. This study investigates the root causes of these issues and proposes strategies to enhance translation practices. A qualitative design was employed, analyzing 100 English-to-Persian cosmetic catalogue translations and incorporating feedback from 10 experts in TESL, translation studies, and health communication. The analysis revealed recurring issues such as misinterpretations of technical terms, omissions of safety warnings, and inconsistent terminology use. These issues were primarily attributed …

Exploring Discretionary Benefits’ Impact On Michigan Public Sector Employees, Sydnie N. Smith

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

Productivity, well-being, and retention are factors that impact organizational success and goal attainment; in the public sector in Michigan, employees are the most valuable asset. This research paper seeks to answer the following question: How does the adoption of unlimited PTO policies shape workforce morale, productivity, and retention in public sector employment? Current research into paid leave policy’s impact on employees is scant, it is further limited in the scope of public sector employees. This paper believes that research is needed to determine the relationship between paid leave benefits and employee productivity, well-being/morale, and retention as it could improve public …

What Counts As Data? Empirical Legal Research With India’S Ecourts Portal, Lubhyathi Rangarajan, Sakshi Rai, Nikita Bansal

Socio-Legal Review

This Notes from the Field (‘NFF’) studies an attempt to build a nationwide dataset of cases instituted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 using the eCourts portal, an open access state-led digital repository of all judicial records across India. It uses this experimental attempt to create new methodological and epistemological ways of thinking about data when undertaking socio-legal research. The paper argues that the appearance of judiciary-led digital transparency and visibility masks deeper concerns with data integrity. Through a process of manual data extraction across than 3,647 court complexes on the eCourts portal, the study reimagines technical failures and …

Establishing E-Prodeskel, An Integrated Village Information System For The Empowerment Of The Local Community In Kediri, Ani Budi Astuti, Eni Sumarminingsih, Wayan Firdaus Mahmudy, Maulina Pia Wulandari, Wigbertus Ngabu, Nur Kamilah Sa'diyah, Gusti Ayu Putu Rawi Rotchildi, Izza Lailatul Kasanah, Yusuf Gladiensyah Bihanda, Akbar Satya Nugraha

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Digital transformation has become an important strategy for strengthening community empowerment by improving access to public information, governance transparency, and village services. However, many rural communities in Indonesia still face challenges in managing accurate village profile data and utilizing digital technologies to support good governance and sustainable development. This study examines a community engagement program in Purwokerto Village, Kediri Regency, Indonesia. The program intended to develop and implement E-ProDesKel (Elektronik Profil Desa Kelurahan or Electronic Village and Wards Profile), a web-based portal for an integrated village profile information system. The program adopted a participatory approach starting from an assessment …

Beyond The Classroom: Five Considerations For Actualizing Social Justice In Practicum Education, Priscila Llamosa

Journal of Justice-Informed Social Work Practice and Research

Social justice, a core tenet of social work, is variably integrated into education programs' explicit curricula, leaving students with a limited conceptual understanding. Practicum[1] education, crucial for theory-practice integration, offers opportunities for developing social work skills while upholding social justice principles. This paper addresses how practicum instructors can nurture students’ social justice-oriented practice by presenting a framework for practicum education and examining its five components. Drawing from theory, empirical literature, and practice experience, the author suggests ways for practicum instructors to engage each component. Incorporating these into practicum education can enable students to actualize ADEI values in practice and …