Abstract
Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has grown in prominence and popularity since the 2007 themed section on the subject in this journal. This new themed section reflects on how QLR has been mobilised and made sense of in recent times. This article showcases QLR’s distinctive way of knowing and understanding the social world and how it can illuminate the processes through which policy can enhance, or indeed inhibit, the well-being of individuals and groups within society. This state of the art article focuses on QLR as a valuable but tricky approach. It argues that QLR can enhance qualitative research in social policy by fostering sustained policy engagement and development, and that this is especially useful for policy-making in relation to socioeconomic disadvantage. It also explores cross-cutting methodological dimensions pertinent to QLR’s distinct approach, such as its enhanced ethical considerations, which are also integral to research with people at high risk of socioeconomic disadvantage. The article concludes with possible future directions and developments for QLR as a methodology.
Highlights
Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has grown in prominence and popularity since the 2007 themed section on the subject in this journal edited by Corden and Millar (2007a, 2007b)
QLR might not always be the ideal tool for answering certain social policy questions; there are those best suited to cross-sectional approaches, reinforcing the central premise of this themed section that research questions align to the meanings and dynamics of time that aim to capture change and continuity in people’s lived experiences
Analytical techniques In QLR, the meaning and significance of data emerges as researchers interpret the data at each individual time point, often in collaboration with the participant, and again over time when time becomes a factor in the analysis
Summary
Qualitative longitudinal research (QLR) has grown in prominence and popularity since the 2007 themed section on the subject in this journal edited by Corden and Millar (2007a, 2007b). QLR might not always be the ideal tool for answering certain social policy questions; there are those best suited to cross-sectional approaches, reinforcing the central premise of this themed section that research questions align to the meanings and dynamics of time that aim to capture change and continuity in people’s lived experiences. In spite of these challenges, what is gained from undertaking qualitative research across time can be invaluable. State of the Art: Qualitative Longitudinal Research highlight the potential benefits to cultivate relationships with policymakers over time, coeval with the QLR studies themselves, and in creating the space and opportunities to develop policy-responsive (and methodological) outputs
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