Revisiting Tools for Change: Reflections on Methodologies and Desire-based Approaches in Roma-related Research

Research with children from diverse backgrounds that supports expression of their perspectives, ideas, opinions and representations is needed for policies and programmes to become more equitable and responsive to their concerns and needs. Child-focused research requires additional ethical and methodological considerations to address unequal power imbalances, support autonomy and agency and enable participation. This chapter draws on a research project which investigated best practice career education for primary-school students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds to explore the ethical, methodological and practical challenges of conducting qualitative research with children. This project used a multi-method research methodology, which included participant drawings and group interviews. The chapter discusses ethical and methodological considerations and how utilisation of multi-method research approaches with children can generate rich and reflective data not possible through other methods. The chapter then explores the methodological benefits and practical challenges experienced in implementing this approach. Suggestions are offered as to how a multi-methods approach can be used as an effective tool in qualitative research with children from low SES backgrounds in the field of career education.

The increasing diversity among higher education students urges researchers to expand research methodologies beyond traditional quantitative approaches. A growing number of higher education researchers have employed mixed methods research (MMR) approaches in studies centering on minoritized student populations. In this review, we identified and analyzed 72 empirical MMR studies published between 2007 and 2023, describing the characteristics of the research design and focusing on the MMR design strategies employed by the authors. The review details specific MMR strategies, including methods for engaging participants, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, and advancing the research agenda that centers minoritized students. Based on the review, we discuss methodological considerations and offer recommendations for higher education professionals to advance more thoughtfully conscious, student-centered modes of knowledge production focusing on minoritized populations.

This paper is concerned to develop the notion of transfer science to take account of what is perceived to be the emergence of a new mode of knowledge production. The new mode which is characterised by the production of knowledge in the context of application, by transdisciplinarity, by homogeneity and organisational diversity, by enhanced social accountability and reflexivity, and by new forms of quality control. The thrust of the new mode of knowledge production is to call into question conventional notions of knowledge transfer and focuses instead on the organisational and managerial implications of the emergence of a socially distributed knowledge production system. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the policy implications of the emergence of the new mode of production. Needed in the new mode are science and technology policies which promote institutional permeability and policies which enable governments, acting through their civil service to act as “brokers” in the new knowledge production process. Such brokerage is necessary to enhance permeability between institutions within a particular country but also to increase co-operation and collaboration between institutions across countries.

Research on vandalism in Wikipedia has been of interest for the last decade. This paper performs a literature review on the subject, with the goal of identifying the main research topics and approaches, methods and techniques used. 67 papers have been reviewed. Main topic is the detection of vandalism, although there is a increasing interest about content quality. The most commonly used technique is machine learning, based on feature analysis. It draws attention to the lack of research on information behavior of vandals.

Recently scholars have begun to investigate who produces knowledge about Roma and with what agendas. I extend this inquiry to ask how reflexivity by a non-Romani ally and researcher contributes to analyzing the production and use of knowledge in Romani Studies. I examine various roles I have inhabited and forms of scholarship I have produced, both successful and unsuccessful, during my long involvement in Romani studies to reveal how and why I represented Roma, and what uses this scholarship served. Calling for a “reflexive turn” in Romani Studies, I note that while self-examination of knowledge production is useful for all researchers, for nonRoma it is mandatory because historically non-Roma have held more authority. Embracing “critical whiteness” theory, I examine my privileged roles and my attempts at collaborative advocacy. Tracing a historical trajectory of shifting subjectivities, I narrate several crises, such as balancing essentialism with advocacy, respectfully presenting Romani music, and combining diplomacy with activism to illustrate dilemmas of representation that I have faced and the responses I crafted. These issues all underline the responsibility that non-Romani allies have in accounting for their words and actions.

Older adults living with HIV/AIDS (OALWHA) in rural areas of the U.S. are a highly marginalized community. Intersectional stigma related to age, HIV status, geography, sexual orientation, gender identity, and race oftentimes create a complex lived experience for this population group. While there is a significant need for qualitative research that highlights the intersecting stigmas experienced by OALWHA in rural areas, recruitment challenges exist. Fear of being outed in their rural communities, due to their HIV status and LGBTQ+ identities, makes many OALWHA reluctant to participate in research. However, there is much resiliency in the population as well, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, as research approaches have pivoted to phone/virtual data collection during the pandemic, this can help promote anonymity among this population group. This presentation will detail methodological considerations for recruitment, data collection, and analysis for qualitative research with OALWHA in rural areas of the U.S.

Older adults living with HIV/AIDS (OALWHA) in rural areas of the U.S. are a highly marginalized community. Intersectional stigma related to age, HIV status, geography, sexual orientation, gender identity, and race oftentimes create a complex lived experience for this population group. While there is a significant need for qualitative research that highlights the intersecting stigmas experienced by OALWHA in rural areas, recruitment challenges exist. Fear of being outed in their rural communities, due to their HIV status and LGBTQ+ identities, makes many OALWHA reluctant to participate in research. However, there is much resiliency in the population as well, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, as research approaches have pivoted to phone/virtual data collection during the pandemic, this can help promote anonymity among this population group. This presentation will detail methodological considerations for recruitment, data collection, and analysis for qualitative research with OALWHA in rural areas of the U.S.

This review of the literature synthesizes methodological recommendations for the use of translators and interpreters in cross-language qualitative research. Cross-language qualitative research involves the use of interpreters and translators to mediate a language barrier between researchers and participants. Qualitative nurse researchers successfully address language barriers between themselves and their participants when they systematically plan for how they will use interpreters and translators throughout the research process. Experienced qualitative researchers recognize that translators can generate qualitative data through translation processes and by participating in data analysis. Failure to address language barriers and the methodological challenges they present threatens the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability of cross-language qualitative nursing research. Through a synthesis of the cross-language qualitative methods literature, this article reviews the basics of language competence, translator and interpreter qualifications, and roles for each kind of qualitative research approach. Methodological and ethical considerations are also provided. By systematically addressing the methodological challenges cross-language research presents, nurse researchers can produce better evidence for nursing practice and policy making when working across different language groups. Findings from qualitative studies will also accurately represent the experiences of the participants without concern that the meaning was lost in translation.

Editorial

Methodological considerations, challenges, and approaches in research involving children and young people

Introduction: Language Learning in a Study Abroad Context

Research and practice that builds on family strengths is uniquely positioned to support children’s math learning in ecologically valid and culturally meaningful ways. Yet, there is little specificity as to what it means to take a strengths-based approach in early math research. We propose a conceptual framework for studying early math from a strengths perspective, as an extension of sociocultural theory and family funds of knowledge. We propose four construct domains critical to the study of strengths (family knowledge/skills, family routines, family interests, community knowledge) and two methodological considerations (participatory design, adaptability of resources). To demonstrate the framework as a tool for organizing cumulative knowledge, we classify exemplar strengths-based studies of early math (n = 11) according to the construct domains and methodology considerations. Our aims are to improve the specificity with which strengths-based perspectives in early math are operationalized and to provide a framework for evaluating literature and guiding future studies.

BackgroundPhotovoice is an innovative community-based participatory research methodology that uses photography to capture key issues in a local setting. In Photovoice, photographs are taken to record and reflect on community strengths and challenges, facilitate critical dialogue among participants and researchers, and reach various stakeholders to make change. Although the use of Photovoice has increased in recent years, its utilisation in health policy and systems research is still limited.Main bodyIn this article, we give an overview of the use of Photovoice in health systems research based on literature including methodological considerations, ethical concerns, benefits, and challenges. The Photovoice methodology is based on three theoretical underpinnings: empowerment education theory; feminism and notions of voice; and documentary photography. Photovoice provides power to the participants to share their own insights hence amplifying community voices. Adequate training of Photovoice participants is crucial including on consent for taking and use of photographs. Keeping Photovoice participants engaged throughout the research process and the time commitment required are key challenges of the methodology. The article ends by providing an illustrative example of a study that used Photovoice to explore the roles of community health workers (CHWs) from their perspective in Wakiso district, Uganda. Through Photovoice, CHWs were able to reflect on their day-to-day activities, which methodology can be used among other cadres and settings to inform practice, policy and programming.ConclusionsPhotovoice is a feasible, appropriate and empowering approach in health policy and systems research.

It will not be long until Level 3 Automated Driving Systems (L3 ADS) enter the consumer market. An important role corresponds to methodology development. The present paper gives impetus to the process of developing robust methods for evaluating Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) for L3 ADS. First, a literature review on automotive interfaces concerning methodology application is outlined showing that studies often lack to provide both self-report and observational data. To derive a comprehensive image of HMI quality, we recommend multi-method approach in user research. Subsequently, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art self-report and observational measures. From the availability of measures and the necessity to include both in user studies, the issue of the performance-preference dissociation arises. It threatens study designs and interpretation of results. Following methodological recommendations from the present work supports researchers and practitioners in the area of automated driving for proper study design and interpretation of study results.

Research methods and approaches in organizational systems research are important when the challenge is to implement information technology effectively to support organizational systems. An understanding of organizational systems may be achieved through the use of research methods that 1) use theories to describe organizational systems, 2) provide sets of tools to enable real world problems to be addressed, and 3) enable the researcher to interact with the organizational systems that they study. At the same time it is also important to be able to isolate those key factors that affect the success of organizational systems. This mini-track presents nine unique papers that are ripe with seeds of animated discussion and debate. The first paper entitled Researching Teams With Multiple Boundaries , by Espinosa, Cummings, Wilson and Pearce provides insightful account of field research of software teams, product development teams and banking teams carried out in three global firms operating in the technology, telecommunications and financial services sectors. This paper raises salient methodological issues that researchers are faced with when investigating geographically dispersed teams often mediated by Information Technology. In particular, it highlights boundaries that require appropriate methodological consideration. Researchers are often faced with ethical dilemmas in the conduct of Information Systems research. The second paper by Robert Davison entitled Ethics and Research Methods weaves together two philosophical perspectives, Teleology and Deontology, to inform an insightful analysis of IS research. This paper builds upon a sensitive issue that is very relevant to IS researchers. The increasing use of Grounded Theory in IS research has sparked an impassioned discussion in the third paper by Anthony Bryant entitled “Grounding Systems Research: Reestablishing Grounded Theory”. With its colorful use of the English language and bold argumentation, this paper is sure to spark animated discussion. The fourth paper entitled “Randomizing Survey Question Order Vs Grouping Questions by Construct: An Empirical Test of the Impact On Apparent Reliabilities and Links to Related Constructs” by Dale Goodhue and Eleanor Loiacono provides very specific and detailed findings to well known problem. Issues relating to the IS researcher in organisations are addressed in the fifth paper entitled “Adventures in the Field: Conducting an Interpretive Case Study of Strategic Management Consultants”. Valerie Spitler provides a very, lucid and candid account of how she conducted her field research. This paper is particularly noteworthy because not only does it discuss issues affecting the researcher in the field but also ethical considerations. Rosio Alvarez considers the “communication problem” between the analyst and client in the sixth paper entitled “Discourse Analysis of Requirements and knowledge Elicitation Interviews”. In addressing a very real problem in a real organisation, the findings of this research point to the role of storytelling in analyst–client communication. In the seventh paper entitled “Kevin Bacon, Degrees-ofSeparation, and MIS Research”, Paul Beckman measures the extent to which there is collaboration in the MIS research community. An interesting picture is painted along with issues relating to this method. In their paper entitled “A Dialectical Methodology for Decision Support Systems Design”, Wafa Elgarah, James Courtney and John Haynes extend the multi-perspective decision-making paradigm to “wicked” situations where there is high stakeholder conflict. This eighth paper provides insight into the factors affecting decision making by politicians, civil servants and government departments. The final paper by Shera Kurina and Robert B. Johnston entitled “A Review of Approaches to EC-enabled IOS Adoption Studies” provides a rich overview of what is known about the adoption of Inter-organizational systems that are enabled by electronic commerce. Following an analysis of IOS studies that follow the factor approach vs. those that follow the processual approach, this paper vouches for a processual approach. The papers in this minitrack shed new light on wellknown and not so well-known research methods and approaches. The papers are well grounded in theory and ripe with data collection and analysis issues, lessons learned and guidelines. Taken together these papers, in their own ways, can help us do better IS research. We commend the papers to you as they promise to stimulate animated discussion at the conference and inspire future research efforts.