Adapting research methodology during COVID-19: lessons for transformative service research

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dodds ◽  
Alexandra Claudia Hess
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Group Interviewing ◽  
Online Group

PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a challenging, yet opportunistic, environment in which to conduct transformative service research (TSR) and assess research methodology. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and gain important new insights of a group interviewing method with vulnerable people and their support group, adapted and transferred online during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachThis research examines the experiences of 35 participants (nine family groups composed of parents and young people), involved in a research project that explores a sensitive topic, youth alcohol consumption and family communication, that was moved online during lockdown. Researcher reflections on running group interviews face-to-face prior to COVID- 19 and online during lockdown are included in the data.FindingsThematic analysis of participant interviews and researcher reflections reveals four key benefits and three limitations of online group interviews with vulnerable people and their support group. The benefits include being comfortable, non-intrusive and safe; engaging and convenient; online communication ease and easy set-up. The limitations relate to lack of non-verbal communication, poor set-up, and privacy and access issues.Practical implicationsThe global environment is uncertain and being able to implement effective qualitative research online is essential for TSR and service research in the future. This paper provides a step by step procedure for an innovative online group interviewing technique that can be used by TSR and qualitative service researchers.Originality/valueConducting research during a pandemic has provided unprecedented insights into qualitative research approaches and methodology. This paper contributes to literature on service and TSR methodology by providing a framework for researchers to investigate vulnerable groups online in an effective, safe and non-intrusive way. The framework also has the potential to be applied to other service contexts.

Guest editorial: a new dawn for qualitative service research

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars Witell ◽  
Maria Holmlund ◽  
Anders Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Research Methods ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology

Purpose The purpose of this study is to highlight the role of qualitative research in service research. This study discusses what qualitative research is, what role it has in service research and what interest, rigor, relevance and richness mean for qualitative service research. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the most common qualitative research methods and discusses interest, rigor, relevance and richness as key characteristics of qualitative research. The manuscripts in the special issue are introduced and categorized based on their contributions to service research. Findings The findings suggest that the amount of research using qualitative research methods has remained stable over the last 30 years. An increased focus on transparency and traceability is important for improving the perceived rigor of qualitative service research. Originality/value This special issue is the first issue that is explicitly devoted to the qualitative research methodology in service research. In particular, the issue seeks to contribute to a better use and application of qualitative research methodology.

Viewpoint: getting your qualitative service research published

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Maria Holmlund ◽  
Lars Witell ◽  
Anders Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Ethics ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Service Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide authors with guidelines for carrying out excellent qualitative service research. It describes the features that editors and reviewers use to evaluate qualitative research and pinpoints what authors can do to improve their manuscripts for publication. Design/methodology/approach The paper identifies five features of excellent qualitative service research – relevance, rigor, integrity, narration and impact – and describes them with a focus on what they mean and what authors can do to meet these standards. Findings The paper suggests that manuscripts are often rejected because they fail to meet key standards of excellent qualitative research. It calls for more discussion on research methodology and research ethics, especially when service research strives to make a difference such as investigating critical service contexts or dealing with vulnerable participants. Originality/value This paper contributes to a better use and application of qualitative research methodology. It focuses on specific actions that researchers can take to improve the quality of their service research manuscripts.

scholarly journals Reflexivity and beyond – a plea for imagination in qualitative research methodology

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 332-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiannis Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Creative Imagination ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Original Proposal ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Scientific Value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that, important as reflexivity is, it does not constitute the gold standard of qualitative research. Instead the author makes a plea for the use of sociological imagination. Design/methodology/approach – The paper makes use of data from the ISI Web of Science database to demonstrate the increasing popularity of the concept of reflexivity. Findings – All researchers exercise reflexivity in as much as carrying out research alters both the subject and the object of the research. Conscious reflexivity enables researchers to question their assumptions and consequences of their work but does not guarantee high quality research. For this, creative imagination in recognizing the creative possibilities afforded by the data, are essential. Originality/value – Arguing against the emerging orthodoxy of qualitative research methodology, the original proposal of this paper lies in its plea to relax methodological strictures and judge the quality of research pragmatically in terms of its scientific value and social usefulness.

The Focus Group Interview

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 5.1-5.19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie G.E. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Focus Group Interview ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Group Interview ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Group Interviews

This paper explores the possibility of expanding the focus group interview into the field of English as a Second Language (ESL), where this research methodology is yet to be thoroughly explored. Specifically, it aims to challenge popular criticisms about the reliability and validity of the focus group as a qualitative research methodology. It does this by first setting up a list of five main criticisms of the focus group interview drawn from current literature on research methodology within the social sciences and education. Based on transcripts of interactional data gathered from focus group interviews carried out among ESL students in a formal ESL context, it then provides a direct and detailed response to each criticism. The arguments put forward demonstrate that the focus group interview, as a method of data collection, may be particularly relevant in gathering the viewpoints and opinions of participants who have traditionally not been well represented through the more conventional and common methods currently employed in ESL research studies. Furthermore, the paper raises conscious awareness about the potential of the focus group as a viable and verifiable tool in qualitative research methodology.

Knowledge transferring and small and medium enterprise’s (SME's) effectiveness: emerging insights and future directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1747-1774
Author(s):  
Roberto Biloslavo ◽  
Rosa Lombardi
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Organisational Factors ◽  
Why Questions

PurposeThis paper aims to define knowledge transfer and small and medium enterprise’s (SME's) effectiveness. This research framework examines how employees understand, create and apply knowledge in a day-to-day working context, and how knowledge and other organisational factors influence knowledge transfer within the organisation.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research approach was applied. The authors conducted semi-structured group interviews with the members of three departments of a small hi-tech company. All collected data were manually coded, using in vivo coding and discussed among the authors. As the continuation of the semi-structured group interview, the technique of cognitive maps was applied.FindingsAccording to the results, the critical elements of knowledge transfer within small hi-tech companies seem (1) available slack time, (2) reciprocity and level of trust among employees, (3) social capital of employees and (4) practically oriented technical knowledge. It is also noted that the knowledge transfer is carried out to solve the problems identified by the employees, and these seek knowledge directly from the knowledge bearers who represent a kind of organisational memory.Practical implicationsKnowledge transfer in SMEs occurs almost exclusively face-by-face, and individuals involved pay attention to the time required by this process. The co-creation of an organisational space that allows and supports an open discussion within and between departments is therefore of fundamental importance in order not to preclude organisational learning. In addition, non-financial incentives must be established to help transfer tacit knowledge. This allows to overcome the difficulty of employees in recognising the organisational knowledge base that they see above all in themselves.Originality/valueThis paper throws additional light on understanding how knowledge transfer happens within small hi-tech companies. The applied qualitative research methods allow a better understanding of the “how” and “why” questions associated with the social processes surrounding knowledge transfer.

“Your westernized habits”: contextual nuances of qualitative research in Russia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Earl
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Site ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Group Interviews

PurposeFieldwork in emerging economies can be unpredictable and somewhat dangerous. The purpose of this article is to ascertain problematic issues that may arise when conducting qualitative research in emerging economies.Design/methodology/approachThe author reflects on her fieldwork in Russia in 2014 and 2015. Specifically, the author provides a reflection on her investigation on how the Russian government influences Russian MNEs' ability to deal with domestic institutional complexity and gain external legitimacy.FindingsThe author has encountered a number of unforeseen difficulties: the ethical dilemma, sensitivity of the topic, translation challenges and unexpected group interviews. Through this reflection, he develops specific tactics on how to deal with these circumstances when conducting research outside a Western context. He also provides recommendations on how researchers in emerging economies can deal with ethical dichotomy created by the pressure to follow ethical guidelines. Finally, he identifies a list of opportunities that Russia presents as a research site.Research limitations/implicationsThe reflections on fieldwork discussed in this paper can prove to be useful for qualitative researchers interested in conducting qualitative research in Russia. In particular, it provides specific recommendations on how to navigate Russia as a research site.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the literature on issues related to methodological issues related to conducting research in emerging economies, as well as under research contexts, such as Russia.

scholarly journals Expanding the debate

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Carrington
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spiritual Perspectives

Purpose – The current exploration and inclusion of spirituality across disciplines has, up to this point, focused largely on defining spirituality and creating practice and assessment tools. Little has been done in building the foundational structures at the level of paradigm, theory, methods, measures and research methodology. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents a section of findings resulting from a comprehensive qualitative research program using the process of meta-triangulation, which explored spiritual perspectives from paradigm to practice. Findings – The results of this research begin to address gaps at these levels through the articulation of spiritual ways of knowing and the methods and measures that stem from them. Once articulated, it was possible to explore the parallels and differences between spiritual and physical ways of knowing, their methods and measures. Originality/value – It is acknowledged that such research may be resisted by some factions as they attempt to maintain positions of power and privilege. Thus, this paper presents the research within this contested and turbulent landscape.

Contextualising the antecedents of organisational innovativeness

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Ahrens ◽  
Aishah A.K. Al-Sereidi ◽  
Halimah F. Al-Shaebi ◽  
Asra H. Rahmdel
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Organisational Capabilities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the specific meanings underlying the general antecedents of organisational innovativeness (OI) in one specific public sector context, to fill empirically the categories employed in prior quantitative research and to understand better some of the opportunities for strengthening facilitators of OI and overcoming barriers to OI that present themselves in particular contexts. Design/methodology/approach This research is based on a field study. It uses 29 semi-structured interviews with the members of UAE government and semi-government organisations. The research methodology is qualitative: it seeks to elucidate the meanings that structure the respondents’ understandings of innovation at work. Findings Across the UAE public sector there are great differences in organisational members’ interest in, and readiness to engage with, OI. Members of the public sector tended to conceptualise OI as a set of individual efforts and relationships in which the trust with superiors played a key role, as did the availability of individual rewards. For some respondents communication served as an umbrella term to denote organisational characteristics that would enable individuals to join efforts to make the public sector more innovative. Overall, the great variations in respondents’ ability to articulate and conceptualise the antecedents of OI suggests that organisational capabilities to support OI need strengthening. Research limitations/implications The paper’s insights are based on the study of the public sector of only one country and may be difficult to generalise to other countries. Practical implications The paper suggests ways in which Emirati public sector organisations can strengthen the facilitators of OI and overcome the obstacles presented by the barriers to OI in order to help public sector leaders and employees make innovation a routine element of their day-to-day work. Originality/value The paper presents a first attempt at using qualitative research to deepen our understanding of the antecedents of organisational innovativeness in the public sector.

The focus group interview

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 5.1-5.19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debbie G.E. Ho
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Focus Group Interview ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Group Interview ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
The Social ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Group Interviews

This paper explores the possibility of expanding the focus group interview into the field of English as a Second Language (ESL), where this research methodology is yet to be thoroughly explored. Specifically, it aims to challenge popular criticisms about the reliability and validity of the focus group as a qualitative research methodology. It does this by first setting up a list of five main criticisms of the focus group interview drawn from current literature on research methodology within the social sciences and education. Based on transcripts of interactional data gathered from focus group interviews carried out among ESL students in a formal ESL context, it then provides a direct and detailed response to each criticism. The arguments put forward demonstrate that the focus group interview, as a method of data collection, may be particularly relevant in gathering the viewpoints and opinions of participants who have traditionally not been well represented through the more conventional and common methods currently employed in ESL research studies. Furthermore, the paper raises conscious awareness about the potential of the focus group as a viable and verifiable tool in qualitative research methodology.

Stepping off the drunkard’s path to walk the “wild side”

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-120
Author(s):  
Nicole Brunker
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Doctoral Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Creativity And Innovation ◽  
Looking Back ◽  
The Way

Purpose Working creatively as a researcher should be a core foundation in doctoral studies, though it may be an isolating, even risky, endeavour. The purpose of this paper is to share the author’s journey through the “darkness” of innovation in research methodology. Design/methodology/approach At the heart of this research journey was Portraiture (Lawrence-Lightfoot, 1983), which emerged early in the post-modern evolution of qualitative research. While exploring Portraiture, the author found researchers used this methodology in varying ways: application, appropriation and interpretation. In stumbling through Portraiture, the author discovered patchwork as their bricoleur’s toolbag. Patchwork provided a torch that gave light to the darkness of the research process enabling interpretation of Portraiture for alignment of method and research problematic[1]. Findings Looking back at the research journey, the author recognises the steps into post-qualitative research and the need for methodological innovators to share their journeys for inspiration, to develop understanding and open the way to greater creativity and innovation during the research process. Originality/value This paper provides an original view to Portraiture along with the addition of patchwork as a way of engaging with methodology as well as data.

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