Emic Perspective Research Articles

Collaborative research practices in the study of diasporisation: chronotopes of dispersion among Hungarians in Catalonia

ABSTRACT Diasporas and diasporisation have lately been at the centre of interest in sociolinguistic inquiry. Literature on the inclusion of diasporic speakers in academic knowledge production in connection with diasporas is scarce, although this would be of crucial importance to achieve ‘thinking diaspora from below’ (Rosa and Trivedi 2017. “Diaspora and Language.” In The Routledge Handbook of Migration and Language, edited by Suresh Canagarajah, 330–346. London: Routledge) when researching sociolinguistic phenomena. In this article, I discuss an ethnographically informed critical sociolinguistic study of diasporisation among Hungarians in Catalonia between 2018 and 2022 in which I applied collaborative research practices with the key participants. These practices consisted of the joint formulation of questions, the creation of a reflexive diasporic space, and feedback provided in the post-fieldwork phase. I address how these methods contributed to the emergence of a chronotopic approach to diasporisation. I argue that the inclusion of the emic perspectives of diasporic speakers through their involvement in the research process is a fruitful way to approach diasporas and diasporisation. Moreover, by paying attention to the needs and interests of the participants, this way of researching on, for, and with the participants also contributes to better understandings of diasporisation.

Reclaiming agency against the new world order: Beyond the coping mechanism frame in conspiracy theory studies

ABSTRACT Conspiracy theories about evil globalist elites and their totalitarian agenda are widespread in Western societies. Some scholars attribute their popularity to the complexities of modernity: conspiracy narratives offer frightening yet reassuringly simplistic explanations of world events. This approach, that we call the coping mechanism frame, regards conspiracy believers are insecure, fearful, comfort-seeking individuals. This study examines whether this frame does justice to reality. Using an ethnographic approach, we centralise the emic perspectives of a Dutch conspiracy movement. Our analysis shows that its members are critical of certain societal developments, intentional in turning critique into action and social in organising themselves accordingly. We conclude that a look beyond the coping mechanism frame reveals that conspiracy theories can be an active response to, rather than a way to cope with globalisation. Studying conspiracy theorists as a social movement is essential to recognising the often-overlooked social and collective dimension of conspiracy culture.

Examining Elementary Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs About Literacy Instruction

ABSTRACT This study used semi-structured focus group interviews to examine specific literacy beliefs of 21 elementary pre-service teachers (PSTs) from five teacher education programs across the eastern, southern, and central parts of the USA. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for statements about literacy beliefs. Each belief statement was also tagged as being positive (+), negative (-), or equal (=) to further identify the nuanced ways in which PSTs expressed each belief. Compared to findings in the field, this study (1) provides clearer explanations and categories of PSTs’ literacy beliefs, (2) captures nuanced understanding of PSTs’ literacy beliefs by examining their affective connotations, and (3) provides an emic perspective from PSTs across contexts. In doing so, the results expand on previous frameworks of literacy beliefs. Further, beliefs related to Teacher Strategy, Engagement, and Literacy Approach were discussed the most by PSTs. Literacy beliefs shared less frequently included beliefs about Culturally Responsive Teaching, and some Literacy Components (LC), such as, LC-Spelling, LC-Emergent Literacy, and LC-Fluency. Of the top three literacy beliefs shared by PSTs, references about Engagement were the most positive. The study suggests implications for literacy teacher educators.

Persistent and implications of Changing Livelihood in Hill Setting of Nepal: A Qualitative Inquiry of Vyas-10 of Tanahun

Nepal has witnessed rapid change in political and socioeconomic dimensions in the last three decades. Migration and remittance are key factors for the changing livelihoods and it implies various forms of Hill settings in Nepal. The aim of the study is to identify the persistence and implications of livelihood changes in the Hill setting of Nepal from the emic perspective. As per the requirement of the study, 30 in-depth interviews were conducted Dumsi village of Vyas-10 of Tanahun district. The study identified that remittance is the key driver of the livelihood change in the Hill setting. The changing livelihood of the village people also changes the gender roles, the age structure of the working age population, change in the caste-based occupation and structural change of the caste-based system and the diversification of the income sources. Agriculture was seen as the main occupation three decades ago, it is a secondary source of livelihood in the villages due to migration and remittances.

A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry into Higher Education Educators' Engagement with Technology for Facilitating Higher Order Thinking Skills

Adopting a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, this study delves into the lived experiences of higher education (HE) educators who utilise digital technology to enhance Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). Grounded in the philosophical frameworks of Heidegger (1927/1962) and Gadamer (1960/1975) and employing an adaptation of van Manen’s (2014) Methodology of Phenomenology, this research provides an in-depth emic perspective on how educators experience the use of digital tools to foster students’ HOTS. The study engages a diverse, international cohort of twelve HE educators from Australia, Canada, India, the UK, and the USA, covering key disciplines relevant to contemporary business schools.The study aims to enhances understanding of the intricate relationship between digital technology and educators' experiences in fostering HOTS. By exploring these experiences through an existential lens, it addresses ethical, cognitive, and affective dimensions. The findings resonate with insights from Beard (2018) and Hare (2022), affirming technology's dual role in education, as encapsulated in the 'pharmakon' concept, originally articulated by Derrida (1972) from his reading of Plato’s Socrates. This principle illustrates technology's capacity to serve both as a remedy and a poison, a duality further explored in digital contexts by Kern (2014) and Adams (2017). For example, while digital technologies promote connectivity and collaborative learning—serving as a remedy to traditional educational limitations—they can also lead to cognitive overload and superficial engagement, exemplifying its 'pharmakon' effect in supporting HOTS development.By focusing on educators' lived experiences through a phenomenological lens, the research illuminates how educators adeptly navigate the complexities and opportunities presented by digital tools. The findings underscore the necessity for a critical and nuanced understanding of technology's role in shaping educational practices and outcomes and advocates for a balanced, reflective approach to technology integration when supporting HOTS development. The study offers grounded insights to inform pedagogical strategies for HOTS development in the digital era.

Indigenous peoples’ health: Culturally grounded evidence from the Baka, Southeastern Cameroon

Indigenous Peoples are exposed to the impacts of the climatic, ecological and socioeconomic changes, yet there is a need for a better understanding of their health and higher involvement of Indigenous Peoples in health promotion design and implementation. Our study brings empirical data on the healthcare system of the Baka, forager-horticulturalists from Cameroon. Using a mixed methods approach, we explored the health issues they encounter, the emic determinants of health and healthcare system, and the different threats towards their healthcare system. We conducted focus group discussions, interviews with experts, and self-reported health recalls with 302 individuals living in two settlements from southeastern Cameroon during two fieldwork periods between June and November 2022. Our insights highlight the prevalence of respiratory and children's digestive issues, and the occurrence of illnesses implying a combination of symptoms that would deserve further Western biomedical attention. The Baka's healthcare relies on medicinal plants, knowledge experts, and on the social cohesion of the community, all largely affected by the local social-ecological impacts of global change. Exposure to the market and health facilities does not seem to relate to Baka's health state and practices but might affect their perception of health. Deforestation, poor water quality, and alcohol (ab)use were reported and observed threats to the Baka's health and healthcare system. Our work supplies empirical evidence for a better understanding of Baka's health and healthcare system, helpful in designing health prevention and policies adapted to their reality and culture. Further research and interventions on health should consider the current threats to Baka's local ecosystems and cultural knowledge. These insights contribute to a higher recognition of the Baka's, and most broadly, the Indigenous Peoples' emic perspective on health, and on culturally grounded indicators of the resilience of their healthcare system to current and future challenges.

A phenomenological study of tourists' categories in the Indian Himalayan Region

AbstractTourists visiting the Indian Himalayan Region are categorized from an etic perspective; consequently, they are considered akin to the nature and congruity of the regional destinations. However, evidence indicates that an aberration has occurred in the region's tourism activities, adversely influencing the host communities' cultural and social context. From an emic perspective, this paper presents a new categorization of visiting tourists in the region. This research took a phenomenological stance, and 34 in‐depth interviews were conducted to collect the primary data. Subsequently, a thematic analysis was performed to analyze data. Findings demonstrate that, due to an aberration in the form of tourists, the cultural and social order of the region is experiencing antithetical issues, and host communities are becoming skeptical about the sector's existing tourism model and revenue aspirations; therefore, conflicts are intensifying between tourism development and revenue aspirations in the region. The study concludes by proposing future research directions.

Leading tribal colleges and universities: Perspectives on the skills and experiences needed to lead indigenous higher education

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to investigate the essential experiences and skills required for successful and effective leadership at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States. Utilizing Weick's seven properties of sensemaking as a framework, this study examines how participants developed their sensemaking abilities regarding their presidencies at TCUs. To conduct this research, a phenomenological qualitative research method was utilized, analysing 11 interviews with TCU presidents. The themes identified in this study included developing a vision plan that the Tribal community supports; learning to communicate with diverse stakeholders; understanding Tribal and non‐Tribal politics for fundraising and accreditations; and eliciting mentors from Tribal leaders and other TCU presidents. These findings have vital implications for individuals interested in pursuing leadership positions at TCUs, as they highlight emic perspectives on the skills and experiences necessary for success in these roles.

Nigerian Migrant Women and Human Trafficking Narratives: Stereotypes, Stigma and Ethnographic Knowledge

During the last decades, Nigerian migrant women in the European sex market, described as victims of trafficking, have generated consistent concern and outrage. This article analyzes data from an ethnographic study of more than 800 Nigerian sex workers in southern Spain, describing the networks used by these women to carry out their migration projects and the relationships they establish with their agents. Thus, it contributes to refuting the hegemonic narrative about trafficking and its victims by contrasting it with data collected and systematized over almost a decade of participant observation and informal conversation. This paper argues that the stereotypical image of the Nigerian migrant women as victims of abuse and violence by transnational trafficking networks functions to justify strict migration-control policies and the denial of labor rights to sex workers. As an antidote to the dominance of narratives based on stereotypes and pseudoscientific claims, this paper underscores the urgent need for ethnographic research and its focus on emic (participant) perspectives. The goal is to develop tailored and effective policies and practices for the prevention of and intervention in migrant women’s experience of exploitation, abuse, and violence.

Hadith as Oral Literature through Early Islamic Literary Criticism

Abstract Although the study of ḥadīth (the Prophet’s speech) has advanced significantly in recent decades, several of its literary aspects remain unexplored within Euro-American scholarship. The epistemological status of ḥadīth within balāghah, the premodern Islamic theory of literary analysis, has received little scholarly attention. Drawing on Inimitability and Conciseness (Kitāb al-Iʿjāz wa al-Ījāz), written by the literary critic, Abū Manṣūr al-Thaʿālibī (d. 1038 CE), I show how during the oral stages of its development, ḥadīth was a living tradition that was highly flexible in terms of its wording and content. I empirically explore the interface and interactions between oral and written media in the employment of individual ḥadīths as literary texts, showing how an in-depth exploration of the oral nature of ḥadīth illuminates the approaches of modern literary criticism to appreciate literary texts of oral origin. In conclusion, I suggest that the early Arabic discourse of literary criticism offers an emic (culture-specific) perspective that fosters recognition of the literary reception of ḥadīth and its profound integration into the Islamic literary culture.

Blueprint for Rural Mathematics

This paper reports on the development and use of a Blueprint for Rural Mathematics (herein referred to as the Blueprint) in a study of middle-primary mathematics teaching. The study presented a counter-narrative to the deficit discourse around rural education outcomes through an emic perspective of middle-primary mathematics on Yorke Peninsula, a rural district in southern Australia. This study defined ‘rural’ as being both a sociological and a geographical phenomenon. It takes a sociological stance acknowledging the situatedness of the rural, and the social and cultural uniqueness of the people and their communities. Geographically, the rural locations in this study were those distanced from, and outside the commuting zone of, large urban areas and major cities. This study claimed that rural schools of Yorke Peninsula are unresearched, under-theorised and underestimated in their teaching of mathematics. Hence, very little was known about the experiences of the Yorke Peninsula teachers, or the pedagogical practices they employ in their teaching of mathematics. Yorke Peninsula people have an identity of deficit imposed on them with no opportunity to negotiate it. In understanding and addressing the accuracy of this pervasive negative framing, this study involved investigating Yorke Peninsula teachers of mathematics, and concluded that the rural social space, the identity of its members, and teacher pedagogy are essential considerations in the teaching of mathematics. The Blueprint provides a framework with which to explore these key components of rural education.

Contributions to the Identification of Cultural Keystone Species from an Emic Perspective: a Case Study from Northeast Brazil

Contributions to the Identification of Cultural Keystone Species from an Emic Perspective: a Case Study from Northeast Brazil

Infrastructure Meets Infrapolitics: Emic Negotiation of State and Market Inputs in Upland Northern Vietnam

In the northern uplands of Vietnam, the socialist state is building infrastructures of many kinds to harness the once-remote peoples living there to the nation’s economic, political, and cultural core. As embodiments of uneven power forces, these new infrastructures have major impacts on local livelihoods and have triggered an array of responses to the modernist design of the state. This study examines how the Hmong, a kinship-based ethnic group of the Southeast Asian Massif, use, cope with, adjust to, and contest these infrastructures and related changes. In an emic perspective, we offer an ethnographic account of social change of a marginal people at the crossroad of infrastructures and infrapolitics.

„Diena be nuotykių“: kasdienybės laiko tvarkymas vidutiniame Lietuvos miestelyje

The article discusses the peculiarities of daily time management of people living in medium-sized Lithuanian towns. The prevailing concepts of everyday life are examined, focusing on the meanings of everyday life and time that emerge from the emic perspective of the respondents. Aspects of respondents’ daily routine rhythm, coordination of social time and planning of agendas are revealed. It shows how a resident of an average Lithuanian town organises their time in everyday life. The article analyses the data of the field survey conducted in the towns of Josvainiai and Ramygala from January 2020 to October 2020.

Analisis Multiakad dalam Gadai Sawah Pendekatan Emik

This article aims to analyze the practice of hybridcontract in rice field pawn contracts based on an emic perspective. The research method used is qualitative and the data source is taken from interviews with the parties involved in pawning. The type of data in this research is qualitative data. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation and interviews with the parties involved in pawning rice fields. The data analysis technique is carried out by explaining the implementation of pawning rice fields and then analyzing it using an emic approach. Based on research conducted, it shows that hybridcontracts in rice field pawning take place when the pawned rice field is then managed by the rice field owner, then the harvest obtained is divided between the rahin and murtahin based on the agreement at the beginning of the contract. This practice contains two contracts, namely a pawn contract and a rent or maro contract. This aims to protect the rights of the pawnbroker as the holder of the margin. The implementation of gadai maro provides benefits for rahin and murtahin, which is fairer for both parties according to the pawn actor.

Emic and etic perspectives in transnational migration research: methodological reflections of a cross-national research team

PurposeThis article presents fieldwork perspectives and research reflexivity gained from the cross-national research team, with the aim of promoting better qualitative research practices in transnational research. It focuses on how the team incorporates diverse cultural perspectives and insider and outsider roles to enhance the research in the data collection process.Design/methodology/approachThis article is drawn from the authors' qualitative research with 25 Japanese retirees in Thailand, addressing cultural challenges encountered by researchers in the cross-national team when conducting field research.FindingsOur findings indicate that researchers with an emic view in the cross-national team who shared nationality and cultural background as the participants facilitated an effective recruitment process and productive collaboration in data gathering. They also served as cultural brokers, tailoring smooth communication during interviews on certain cultures, participant traits and sensitive issues. On the other hand, the outsiders helped the team uncover more transnational issues that the insiders had overlooked. Additionally, combining emic and etic perspectives helps to avoid ethnocentric narratives or purely etic and emic conclusions.Originality/valueThis article addresses a gap in the methodological reflections in transnational research that remains largely overlooked. Our reflection highlights the advantages of cross-national teams, which include researchers from emigration and immigration countries. Their status and roles as insiders and outsiders significantly facilitate a positive impact on the research process and increase the extent of investigating the complex cultural dynamics of transnational practices. The incorporation of emic and etic perspectives is suggested in the methodological approach for transnational migration research.

Action and understanding in the semi-structured research interview: Using CA to analyse European research scientists’ attitudes to linguistic (dis)advantage

The semi-structured research interview is commonly used in EAP research to gain emic or insider perspectives. However, critics suggest that simplistic approaches to interview are pervasive, and that interview data is over-used and under-analysed by qualitative researchers. In this study, I consider the interactional nature of the EAP research interview by using the Conversation Analysis (CA) lens of action and understanding to enhance a more traditional qualitative analysis of interview data from semi-structured interviews with six European research scientists. I examine how the scientists position attitudes to the proposition that non-native English speakers are disadvantaged in writing for publication compared to their native speaker counterparts. The analysis focuses on how the scientists use pronominal subject + cognitive verb discourse markers (e.g., you know, I mean, I guess) to mark stance, shift focus, and renegotiate the linguistic (dis)advantage proposition. In doing so, they move beyond the native/non-native binary and introduce non-discursive factors as barriers to research publication success. The study highlights how an analysis of both the structure and the content of interview talk can enrich understanding of the worldviews of interview participants. It also illustrates how EAP researchers might address existing methodological critiques concerning the simplistic use of interview data.

Towards a more balanced treatment of culture in international business using an ethnographic design: a multinational family business case study

PurposeThe negative cultural bias vis-à-vis international business and cross-cultural management has been duly acknowledged, necessitating recommendations towards investigating its positive effects. Methodologically, quantitative research clearly predominates, and there have been calls for alternative approaches. Thus, this conceptual paper addresses the research gap (methodological and thematic) by investigating if multicultural teams can be an essential part of the global workforce and whether positive effects exist regarding dynamic capabilities, learning and knowledge transfer.Design/methodology/approachThe underlying ethnographic research design enabled exploring within the embedded single case study from an emic perspective, including qualitative observation and semi-structured expert interviews, and provided detailed insights into the company’s multicultural work environment.FindingsThe results reveal that applying a qualitative design allowed the needed exploration and show that multicultural, geographically dispersed teams are positively experienced and considered necessary in today’s globalised world. They are likely to increase in the future. Moreover, dynamic capabilities (multicultural competencies) are indispensable for multicultural teamwork. Regarding learning opportunities, different viewpoints for discussion and the ability to reflect on these offer valuable insights. In line with theory, multiculturality is considered a “two-edged sword”, providing simultaneous benefits and challenges. Contrary to the theory, even highly important information transfers can occur virtually, although occasional physical contact is essential for trust building.Originality/valueThe multinational family business offers a unique example of a positive relationship between multiculturalism and organisational excellence and demonstrates how the application of a qualitative methodology can support theory building by delivering a revised model of dynamic capabilities in multicultural environments with geographical dispersion.

Religious Education and Vaccination: The Concept of Halal, From the Slippery Road to Herd Immunity

This study aims to understand how religious education contributes to understanding vaccination to achieve herd immunity in society due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The diversity of understanding for vaccines and its ingredient creates an issue about halal and non–halal among Indonesian citizens. The dispersed understanding produces the swing opinions not to be vaccinated due to the understanding of the theological concept of Halal, and the final herd immunity is impossible to achieve. This core problem is triggered by two essential elements: culture and theological concepts. The present triggers, cultural and theological elements, invite the sociological method to access articles, journals, academic writing, and books to see the emic perspective of the problems. The sociological method evaluates and analyses the problems to get the possible answer to the research question. The result of this investigation is that vaccination is saving humanity from the destruction of the COVID-19 virus. It is also a theological blueprint of God's creation to use medical materials to stop the plague. The conclusion is drawn to state that vaccination is the knowledge of God's gift for humanity to end the pandemic of Covid-19. It is also a part of the social responsibility of religious people to open the door to vaccination places to convince the ingredient is the gift of the Creator through medical science.

The Labyrinth of The Iron Cage of Educational Capitalism: The Reflection of Siri Na Pacce in Strengthening Educational Leadership

This study aims to demonstrate that the Indonesian local culture, Siri Na Pacce, becomes the construction of educational leadership in the era of educational capitalism. The Indonesian constitution upholds the availability of human resources to be educated for social change. The advancement of educational facilities creates inequality among human resources in accessing a better education. This inequality creates social reproduction through the educational system. The iron cage of the educational system chains the production of potential leaders for social change. The sociological method is conducted to analyze andevaluate the root of the problem to bring in the emic perspective. This method accesses books, articles, journals, and academic writing. This research aims to align local cultural values, Siri Na Pacce, to construct leadership values in generating an accessible educational system. To conclude, the construction of educational leadership is based on the solid value of Siri Na Pacce to build the character of being with others.