Articles

Stories As An Evaluation Tool
By Susan Eliot
March 8, 2011 

The evaluation story is a great tool for connecting to a program or organization on a personal level.  Everyone loves a good story. The trick as an evaluator is to tell a story that resonates with the audience, and yet is grounded in rigorous qualitative methodology.  Is it a challenge?  It sure is. But the benefits of influencing policy and program development with a well-executed story, make it all worth it.

Do You Know The Value Of Qualitative Research?
By Lindsey Colella
April 4, 2012 

Understanding the “why” requires a lot of time and resources but is an important element for any marketing or advertising strategy. It’s only when a researcher immerses himself or herself in the project, understands the industry and the market dynamics, and develops a feel for consumers’ needs and drivers that the “why” will uncover real opportunities — not just fancy pictures or quotes. And these new opportunities often give the organisation a competitive advantage.

What Works Best In Qualitative Research: Tell The Story Or Get To The Point?

By Lindsey Colella
August 16, 2012

While storytelling is detailed, takes time to read through, and sometimes requires someone to explain the results, it allows organisations to understand the full picture of what’s going on with their consumers. Only having executive-summary-style reporting is like reading the last page of a brand-new book. Sure, you know what the outcome is but you don’t know how the author reached that conclusion. Companies should realise that developing the story is worth the extra investment of time and money. 

Skype Interviews in Social Science Research
October 5, 2012

Advantages of using Skype for interviews:
- inexpensive
- geographically flexible
- ease of audio-recording

Disadvantages of using Skype for interviews:
- time lags in conversation/disconnection problems
- non-verbal cues
- quality comprised when there are too many users
- ethical issues when filming interviewees

Big Data Needs Thick Data
By Tricia Wang
May 13, 2013

"When organizations want to know what they do not already know, they need Thick Data because it gives something that Big Data explicitly does not—inspiration. The act of collecting and analyzing stories produces insights."

Applications of self-efficacy theory to understanding career choice behaviour
By Nancy E. Betz and Gail Hackett
1986

This paper provided a brief description of the applications of self-efficacy theory to the career domain, particularly to the career choice process, and then reviewed the empirical research on this topic. 

The role of goal instability and career self-efficacy in the career exploration process

By D. L. Blustein

1989

This study sought to ascertain why individuals engage in exploratory activity in late adolescence and early adulthood. A review of the relevant career development and human motivation literatures suggested that goal-directedness and career self-efficacy beliefs would be predictive of environmental and self-exploration. The research outcomes suggested that self-efficacious beliefs about career decision making and, to a somewhat lesser extent, goal-directedness are associated with environmental and self-exploration. The results were related to theory, research, and practice on the career exploration process.

Thesis Antithesis Synthesis 
By Professor Arnie Sanders
2013

Often attributed to philosophers Hegel or Marx, the terms "thesis, antithesis, and synthesis" have been used to describe the development of reasoning about evidence. They are best thought of as a convenient mental model for styles of thought, which help us decide how to position ourselves in scholarly discussions. 

The case against "good" and "bad"
Lesson by Marlee Neel, animation by The STUDIO
2012

The English language has an abundance of illustrative words. There are also many words that fail to interpret the true circumstances of the situation. Instead of taking the easy route, use this little trick to improve your writing — let go of the words "good" and "bad", and push yourself to illustrate, elucidate and illuminate your world with language.

Strategies for Gaining Access in Doing Fieldwork: Reflection of two Researchers
By Satirenjit Kaur Johl and Sumathi Renganathan
2009

The main aim of this paper is to share the experiences of two researchers in gaining access to fieldwork practice. The authors present a basic framework for successfully gaining access into research fields which other researchers can use, and also critically analyse their experiences in using the two different approaches, formal and personal, in gaining access in their respective research projects.

The Influence of Power Shifts in Data Collection and Analysis Stages: A Focus on Qualitative Research Interview
Frederick Anyan
2013

This article outlines and discusses the variations and dynamisms in power asymmetry as observed in the data collection and analysis stages when interview has been used as the method of data collection. Considering the importance of using interviews by organizations and other individual researchers, it is necessary to ascertain and comprehend the processes that determine the outcome and the variables involved.

Editor's Pick: Top Qualitative Research Blogs
Merlien Institute
2013

Making Sense of It All: Me and My Qualitative Data
Brendan Doody
24 April, 2013

Thematic approach to data analysis:
1. Transcribing.
2. Identifying potential codes.
3. Initial coding.
4. Focused coding.
5. Memoing.

Analysing and Presenting Qualitative Data
P. Burnard, P. Gill, K. Stewart, E. Treasure, and B. Chadwick
26 April, 2008

This article provided a pragmatic approach to analysing qualitative data, using a form of thematic content analysis, which involves identifying themes and categories that emerge from the data. Additionally, the article explored how computers can be used to facilitate qualitative research, the debate about the reliability and validity of qualitative analyses, and how to write up and present qualitative research studies.

Coder Attributes
Susan Eliot
8 October, 2010

Personal attributes which all qualitative researchers should have to be high-calibre coders:
1. Organisational skills
2. Perserverance
3. Ability to due with ambiguity
4. Flexibility
5. Creativity
6. Rigorously ethical
7. Extensive vocabulary

An Interview with Dr. Paul Gorman on Qualitative Research Proposals
Susan Eliot
21 February, 2011 

Four criteria of good qualitative research: 
1. Have a good qualitative question.
2. Use the proper application of methods.
3. Be interpretive.
4. Use an emic approach.

Paraphrasing in Qualitative Interviews
Susan Eliot
22 April, 2013 

Paraphrasing strategies:
1. Connect the dots.
2.  Name the feeling. 
3. Get to the point.
4. Use their words.
5. Use a metaphor.
6. Come close.
7. Say what they won't.
8. Practice.

Visual Cues & Bias in Qualitative Research
Margaret Roller
17 April, 2011

Interviewer Bias & Reflexivity in Qualitative Research
Margaret Roller
14 November, 2012

Striking a Balance in Research Design
Margaret Roller
18 March, 2013

Maintaining the Life of Qualitative Research: Why Reporting Research Design Matters?
Margaret Roller
15 April, 2013

Qualitatively Speaking: A little unease can do wonders
Jennifer Larsen
5 April, 2013

Sure, Big Data Is Great. But So Is Intuition.
Steve Lohr
29 December, 2012

Analytics and Intuition: Finding Equilibrium
Renee Boucher Ferguson
5 March, 2013

Know the Difference Between Your Data and Your Metrics
Jeff Bladt and Bob Filbin 
4 March, 2013

Picking a research problem - the critical decision
C. Ronald Kahn, M.D.
26 May, 1994

What data can't do
David Brooks
18 February, 2013

A question universities need to answer: why do we research?
John Armstrong
10 April, 2012

Qualitative research is not research at all? 
Rachelle Annechino
25 November, 2011