Knowledge In Qualitative Research Research Articles

Epistemological Weaving: Writing and Sense Making in Qualitative Research with Gloria Anzaldúa

How is writing a part of creatively understanding ourselves, research questions, data, and theory? Writing is a critical form of connecting concepts, exploring data, and weaving knowledge in qualitative research. In other words, writing is integral to theorizing. However, writing is not an individualistic process. Writing is a relational and creative epistemological weaving of thoughts and embodiments constructed by researchers and their interactions with mentors and instructors, participants, and theoretical proponents. In this paper we discuss this creative process by paying attention to each co-constructor of knowledge and the ways in which the weaving of knowledge was constructed through our shared and different journeys as doctoral student and instructor. Grounded in Gloria Anzaldúa’s borderland and nepantla work, we will present our positionalities, interactions, and suggestions for fellow qualitative writers struggling to make sense of their writing and theorizing. Our hope is that doctoral students and veteran academics alike can benefit from this exploration.

Review: Rapid Ethnographic Assessments: A Practical Approach and Toolkit for Collaborative Community Research, by Thurka Sangaramoorthy and Karen A. Kroeger

Review: <i>Rapid Ethnographic Assessments: A Practical Approach and Toolkit for Collaborative Community Research</i>, by Thurka Sangaramoorthy and Karen A. Kroeger

Repeated interviews with students – critical methodological points for research quality

ABSTRACT This article presents a reflection on what the qualitative interview method conducted with students can provide to (mathematics) education research in terms of in-depth knowledge and what critical methodological points should be taken into consideration. Repeated interviews with the same students in relation to research quality is considered. The argument is that repeated interviews can provide in-depth knowledge and a grasp of students’ understandings. Critical points to consider when gaining in-depth knowledge are person-dependency, process ethics, connections between repeated interviews as a method and the aim, and the re-interview effect. These are important to discuss and reflect on throughout the research process, as they can function as quality criteria when producing in-depth knowledge in qualitative research with repeated interviews.

“I have a story for you”: engaging with im/migrant children’s politicized funds of knowledge in qualitative research

Drawing on empirical data from two ethnographic studies on familial im/migration and education on both sides of the Mexico–U.S. border, in this article, we focus on critical incidents that resulted in listening realignment during data collection in which children deploy their politicized funds of knowledge (PFOK) (Gallo & Link) to shape the form and content of our research. We argue that as researchers in educational settings we must reflect on these exceptional moments and reframe our methods of talking with im/migrant children to engage with their politicized funds of knowledge. This entails following children’s leads as the experts of their lives while opening up spaces for their PFOK, including their range of narrative approaches that we may inadvertently discount.

Maintaining reflexivity in qualitative nursing research.

AimsReflexivity is central to the construction of knowledge in qualitative research. This purpose of this paper was to outline one approach when using reflexivity as a strategy to ensure quality of the research process.DesignIn this exploratory research, reflexivity was established and maintained by using repeated questionnaires, completed online. Using the approach presented by Bradbury‐Jones (2007) and Peshkin's I’s, the aim of the research was to identify the researcher's values, beliefs, perspectives and perceptions prevalent in the research.MethodsQualitative data were collected in online reflexive questionnaires, completed monthly by the researcher from January 2017 to December 2018. Data analysis used interpretive and reflective reading and inductive processes.ResultsSeventeen questionnaires were analysed. Data indicated use of questionnaires enabled and detailed development of specific strategies to ensure trustworthiness. Importantly, reflexivity, supported by questionnaires, brought about transformation through self‐awareness and enlightenment.

Czy GIS podnosi rangę dyscyplin geograficznych? Znaczenie GIS i GIScience dla geografii

Geografowie postrzegają technologie informacyjne i komunikacyjne, w tym oprogramowanie GIS, jako element nieuchronnych przemian w geografii. Część uważa, że są instrumentami pomocniczymi geografii, część zauważa „cyfrowy zwrot” (digital turn), który odnawia zainteresowanie i związki z takimi dziedzinami, jak computational social sciences oraz data-driven geography w celu uzyskania głębszego wglądu w badania ilościowe, w skali czasowej, wielorozdzielcze i wieloskalowe. Współcześnie różnorodność cyfrowych urządzeń, platform, aplikacji i usług jest nieodłącznym, normalnym i oczekiwanym elementem codziennego życia, a technologie cyfrowe są również standardem medialnym generowania i analizy wiedzy w badaniach jakościowych. W miarę postępu, komercjalizacji i popularyzacji technologii geoprzestrzennych, one same przyczyniają się do rozwoju ontologii i epistemologii przestrzennych. Analiza semantyczna artykułów opublikowanych w najważniejszych czasopismach naukowych dedykowanych różnym dyscyplinom geografii (w latach 2014–2018) dowodzi, że w geograficznym dyskursie naukowym najbardziej aktywne jawią się czasopisma geograficzne podejmujące tematykę interdyscyplinarną, metodologiczną lub z zakresu geografii stosowanej.

O Software webQDA no Apoio à Construção de Conhecimento: Um relato de experiência na pesquisa qualitativa

Este artigo relata a experiência da utilização do software webQDA no apoio à construção de conhecimento na pesquisa qualitativa. A ferramenta possibilitou tanto a organização quanto na análise dos dados, permitindo aprofundar o percurso metodológico ancorado no referencial teórico da Teoria Práxica da Enfermagem em Saúde Coletiva (TIPESC) e na epidemiologia crítica. No processo, as entrevistas foram transcritas e inseridas no software e a categorização dos dados foi segundo a consistência e frequência dos fragmentos de textos, núcleos de sentido, o que permitiu evidenciar quatro categorias e dezesseis subcategorias nos resultados. Entende-se que com o software foi possível dirimir a subjetividade dos pesquisadores envolvidos no desenvolvimento do estudo e, a partir deste se pode elaborar os resultados e a análise dos dados com mais profundidade, o que se considera como um processo que qualificou o estudo.Palavras chave: Ferramentas de Software; Pesquisa Qualitativa; Enfermagem.

A dual instructional model for computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software integrating faculty member and specialized instructor: Implementation, reflections, and recommendations

Teaching qualitative methods to students has become more frequent in social work programs. The use of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software has also increased. Improper use of these software programs, however, can lead to misinterpretation of qualitative data. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software instruction has evolved in an ad hoc manner in spite of the importance of correct use of this software. This results in a lack of thorough knowledge of computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software or knowledge of the software that poorly incorporates qualitative methodology. We propose a new model that addresses these barriers by incorporating computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software instruction with qualitative inquiry via a dual instruction method. This model centers on the collaboration between the qualitative faculty instructor and a specialized computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software trainer. The result of this is integration of qualitative research knowledge with computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software skills. Both the faculty member and specialized computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software trainer have the opportunity to work with the students and collaborate with one another. This paper describes the new model, including its conception and requirements for its implementation. We discuss our own experiences implementing the model and offer individual reflections of the faculty member, the trainer, and a student from the pilot program. The results appear to be more effective and appropriate use of this software.

Dancing with quantitoids: a brief and benevolent commentary on the special issue of QRSEH

In this brief commentary on the excellent contributions to this special of Qualitative Research in Sport, Health and Exercise, I attempt to draw out several major themes that ran through many of the articles, and address a few other points that stood out in my readings of the submissions. After a short introduction of my own history with respect to becoming a (predominately) qualitative researcher, I discuss issues related to the philosophy of knowledge and research paradigms in qualitative work. I then address to the issue of the politics of knowledge in qualitative research, and call on scholars to move towards more progressive ways of conducting qualitative research that reflect the current ways of thinking about qualitative work. Next, I provide a couple of notes regarding the applications of qualitative research, as well as the need to better educate ourselves and our students on the latest qualitative approaches. I end with a few specific comments on Jeffery Martin’s challenging and insightful article, and end with a point about qualitative research in an era of new media and abbreviated modes of communication.

The Research Imperative: Medical Library Association policy and the curricula of schools of library and information science

Ten years after the Medical Library Association (MLA) adopted its first research policy, the 1995 Using Scientific Evidence to Improve Information Practice [1], MLA President Joanne Gard Marshall, FMLA, appointed a task force to research and publish a new official statement [2]. The resulting MLA research policy statement, The Research Imperative, was approved by the MLA Board of Directors in 2007 and “challenges MLA members to build a supportive culture that values and contributes to a research base that is recognized as an essential tool for future practice” [2]. It describes domains of research as well as basic, advanced, and specialized research skills sets. The Research Imperative encourages health sciences library and information science (LIS) practitioners to take advantage of different educational opportunities to acquire and build on that skills set. Specifically, it recommends, “4. MLA will provide and promote education and training to support health sciences information research. To accomplish this recommendation, MLA will work with academic programs to ensure that opportunities to develop quantitative and qualitative research knowledge and skills appear throughout the curriculum, provide a complete range of basic and advanced courses in quantitative and qualitative research methodology through MLA's continuing education (CE) program, and encourage graduate LIS schools to require master's degree students to undertake a research project in information science” [3]. Curricular decisions for programs leading to the LIS master's degree (MLIS) are shaped by many factors, not the least of which is the very wide variety of careers that holders of such degrees can expect to have. Many will undoubtedly work in school, public, academic, or special libraries. Many others will be information professionals in archives, museums, corporations, and other organizations. In any case, a major driver for MLIS curricula is program accreditation by the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA Standards for Accreditation do not specify exactly what courses should be taught, but the accreditation seeks evidence of various curricular elements. In particular, the standards require that a program's mission, goals, and objectives include: “the importance of research to the advancement of the field's knowledge base…the importance of the contributions of library and information studies to other fields of knowledge [and]…the importance of the contributions of other fields of knowledge to library and information studies.” Furthermore, they seek evidence that the curriculum of an accredited program “emphasizes the evolving body of knowledge that reflects the findings of basic and applied research from relevant fields” [4]. Do MLIS academic programs “ensure…opportunities to develop quantitative and qualitative research knowledge and skills?” Do they “require master's degree students to undertake a research project in information science” [3]? Evidence of such opportunities would include (but not be limited to) courses and evidence of whether research projects are required for graduation from such programs. In a comparison of LIS research course requirements with those of other master's level programs in related disciplines, Park studied the 2002 graduate catalogs of fifty-two of the then fifty-six ALA-accredited MLIS programs as well as the catalogs of master's of business administration, master's of social work, and master's of education programs at some of those schools. She found that all but three of the MLIS programs offered research methods courses, but only twenty required such a course for graduation [5]. Park reported that “LIS does not use consistent terminology across schools to identify what constitutes a ‘research methods’ course” and that the courses “vary from comprehensive coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods to superficial inclusion of simple survey methods.” Park discussed aspects of the MLIS degree that related to research “at the consumer level” and “at the contributor level” [5]. Evidence-based LIS (and other types of evidence-based practice) are examples of the use of the consumer level of research expertise. Practitioners in many fields can confuse the two functions, especially when the word “research” is taken to include searching literature for published scientific studies, as opposed to actually carrying out such studies. The Research Imperative quite rightly calls for health sciences librarians to practice as consumers of and contributors to research in the discipline. This study seeks evidence of the current availability of required or elective research methods courses and research projects as a graduation requirement in ALA-accredited masters' programs in library and information science.

Co‐constructed inquiry: a new approach to generating, disseminating and discovering knowledge in qualitative research

Co‐constructed Inquiry has been built in partnership with specialist nurse practitioners, university‐based researchers (with a clinical background in stroke and dementia care) and people living with long‐term conditions. Co‐constructed Inquiry introduces the language of drama and theatre into the theory building and reporting process and consists of three stages: Building the set; Performing the production; and Bringing down the curtain. People with long‐term conditions represent subjective experience through the production of a life story script, a personal theory and, eventually, a collective theory. The personal theory is usually presented as a diagram, or a series of diagrams. Co‐constructed Inquiry sheds new light on participative methods of inquiry and in the development of co‐constructed grounded theory.

“Equal Time” and “Equal Voice”

ABSTRACT This paper outlines the development, implementation, and qualitative and quantitative evaluations of a foundation research course structured to give “equal time” and “equal voice” to both qualitative and quantitative research content. Assessment of this integrative approach suggested that students' gain in qualitative research knowledge was strongly correlated with their gain in quantitative research knowledge (r = .653, p > .0005), and some students believed “I am better able to evaluate my practice” as a result of taking this course.

Biographical connections: Experiences as sources of legitimate knowledge in qualitative research

In the narrative that follows, the author establishes biographical connections between a few marker events of his life history and the research topic he set himself to explore: teachers' critical awareness of language. By using a bricolage of qualitative research methods (narrative inquiry, hermeneutic phenomenology, heuristic research and arts-based research), the narrator illustrates the use of experiences as sources of legitimate knowledge in the research process. A composite portrait - a synthesis of the essential descriptions and meaningful interpretations of his experiences - is, then, presented in the form of a poem that illustrates a process of personal and professional growth and of becoming increasingly and critically aware of the construction of a teacher-self.