Embracing qualitative research: an act of strategic essentialism

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raza Mir
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Strategic Essentialism ◽  
The Common ◽  
Good Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to argue that rather than contest the artificial schism produced by social scientists between “qualitative” and “quantitative” research, we should to accept this binary, however, contingently, and use it productively. This would be an act of “strategic essentialism” that would allow us to be productive in the research and inquiry. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses postcolonial theory to make a case for contingent representation, i.e. using artificial categories to carve out a space for heterodox theoretical approaches. Findings Researchers devoted to qualitative research must resist thinking, speaking and evaluating that research using quantitative thinking. Also, while ethical considerations are paramount in qualitative research, we need to debunk the narrow understanding of ethics as “following rules.” Also, qualitative researchers need to be aware of the institutional pulls that the research will be subject to, and also be ready to resist them. Originality/value This paper discusses how good research resists the siren call of institutionalization. It challenges the “common sense” assumptions of the field and brings them into the realm of the questionable. It seeks to theorize the untheorizable, and anthropologize the dominant.

scholarly journals From “Technical Newbies” to “Optimistic Politicians”

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Prater ◽  
Konstantinos Kirytopoulos ◽  
Tony Ma
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Scheduling Problems ◽  
Information Technology Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The Common ◽  
Project Estimation ◽  
Engineering Projects

Purpose Despite the advent of sophisticated control methods, there are still significant issues regarding late delivery of information technology projects. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the common causes of scheduling problems specifically in the information technology projects context. Design/methodology/approach Through a quantitative research, the importance of those causes, as well as the underpinning factors driving them, is explored. The causes are ranked according to their relative important index, and exploratory factor analysis is employed to reveal underlying dimensions (factors) of these causes. Findings From the analysis, four factors were extracted, namely, “Dataless Newbie,” “Technical Newbie,” “Pragmatic Futurist” and “Optimistic Politician.” These factors explain the different latent conditions that lead to scheduling problems in information technology projects. Practical implications The key contribution of this research is that it enlightens the latent conditions underpinning scheduling problems. Also, the evidence provides that schedule development for information technology projects is impacted by the same causes that impact engineering projects, and that applying a number of mitigation techniques widely used within the engineering area, such as reference class, would, no doubt, not only improve information technology schedules but also reduce the political pressures on the project manager. Originality/value This research provides a valuable insight into understanding the underlying factors for poor project estimation.

scholarly journals Accounting for the messiness of the research process: the fieldpath approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perttu Salovaara
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Human Ethics ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Common ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose It has recently become more acknowledged that there is a quality of “messiness” to the qualitative research process. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the fieldpath approach—a hermeneutically inspired framework—to account for the non-linearity, uncertainty and ambiguity of the research process. Design/methodology/approach This conceptual paper reviews how the scope of hermeneutics has been partly misunderstood. The paper discusses how the scope of hermeneutics has lately been expanded by works such as Günter Figal’s (2010) Objectivity: The Hermeneutical and Philosophy. Findings The fieldpath approach proposes that a heightened relation to materiality enables the messiness of the process to be preserved, while at the same time offering a way to find one’s footing in the midst of ontologically incomplete phenomena that are still—in a processual fashion—forming and becoming. Research limitations/implications This is a conceptual paper. In addition to the research mentioned here, more studies would be needed to legitimise, test and refine the approach. Practical implications Objectivity provides an additional criterion for researchers to lean on when facing the non-linearity and unexpected turns inherent in the qualitative research process. Social implications The stress on materiality involves an ethical dimension. Post-human ethics are concerned with the future environmental consequences and sustainability of the material world. The way that matter matters in our methodologies is of primary importance. Originality/value First, the paper emphasises that hermeneutics, contrary to the common perception, does offer criteria for evaluating between interpretations. Second, it introduces the notion of hermeneutic objectivity, which stresses the importance of materiality for interpretations. Third, it introduces the fieldpath approach, which, based on the previous criterion of hermeneutic objectivity, allows for the messiness of the research process, while also preserving a tight grip on the hermeneutic imperative of “understanding in a new way”.

scholarly journals THE FOURTH HISTORICAL MOMENT IN SOCIAL RESEARCH ‘THE CRISIS OF REPRESENTATION’: A CHAPTER REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (17) ◽  
pp. 138-144
Author(s):  
Asma Shughail Aqib Al Hashimi ◽  
Adi Anuar Azmin
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Fourth Moment ◽  
Historical Overview ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
Crisis Of Representation ◽  
Historical Moment

The historical moments of qualitative research reflect socially constructed quasi-historic conventions that remain crosscut and overlapping till the present. This progressive narrative is well represented and assessed in a historical overview by Denzin & Lincoln (2018) in their book “The Sage handbook of qualitative research” in the introduction “The discipline and practice of qualitative research”. Through a chapter review, this article particularly discusses the fourth moment of Quantitative research coined as “The crisis of representation”, which is believed to be the crossroads where social scientists remain entangled between the science and humanity perspective while conducting social research in order to forward social realities. This period of confusion simultaneously forwarded the multi-paradigm (positivism, postpositivism, and interpretivism), all of which have unique characteristics that are suitable for specific research. Thus, this paper sheds light on the overview of the crisis of representation and further explains the types of crises that occurred during this historical moment, including the crisis of representation, the crisis of legitimation, and a crisis of praxis. It is expected that apart from extending current literature this paper would support social scientists for selecting appropriate methods and paradigms as well as to justify their selection.

Is sustainability a motive to buy? An exploratory study in the context of mobile applications channel among young Indian consumers

foresight ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha K.S. Nair ◽  
Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Questionnaire Development ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Payments ◽  
Digital Payments

PurposeConsumers shopping motives may differ across products/services categories, retail formats and channels. In the context of m-Apps-based commerce, this study aims to explore different shopping motives of consumers in three different categories of app, namely, food delivery, ride sourcing and digital payments. Using motivation literature, the study extends the theory of consumer motives by including sustainability as a key motive to buy in the context of m-App channel. Further, the authors undertake a comparative analysis of the identified motives across the three mobile applications (m-Apps).Design methodology/approachThe research methodology involved two stages (qualitative research followed by quantitative research). In qualitative research, personal interview was conducted to extract items for survey questionnaire development. Subsequently, quantitative analysis was carried out. The data were subjected to exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The study sample comprised 201 young Indian managers.FindingsUsing principal component analysis and CFA, the study validates the existence of different motivations in the three categories of m-Apps considered. Transaction-oriented and sustainability-oriented motivation is found to be a major motive to use m-Apps for food delivery, ride sourcing and mobile payments. Additionally, in digital wallet applications for mobile payments, consumers exhibit innovation-oriented motivation. Value-oriented motivation was identified as a motive in food delivery apps.Research limitations/implicationsThe scale developed and the comparative study done extended the theoretical conversation on young consumer motives in the context of m-Apps channel and extended it by including sustainability motive, which needs further in-depth study.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies to explore sustainability motives in the context of m-Apps channel.

Industrial buyers' use of references, word-of-mouth and reputation in complex buying situation

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 344-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leena Aarikka-Stenroos ◽  
Hannu Sakari Makkonen
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Word Of Mouth ◽  
Business Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Knowledge Intensive

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to provide understanding on how the buyer can mobilize experience-based information scattered around the business network, by means of customer references, word-of-mouth and reputation, and how this facilitates the buying process. Design/methodology/approach – The qualitative study scrutinizes eight cases comprising buyers of knowledge intensive services and technology innovations. The paper draws on the literature on buying and purchasing, customer references, word-of-mouth and reputational information. Findings – The findings identify the different roles of references, word-of-mouth, collegial advice networks, and reputation, and suggest that experience-based information provides information on offerings, suppliers and the problem solving situation in complex buying per se. Research limitations/implications – The article's contribution is to provide a framework depicting the employment of experience-based information in complex buying, which ensues through focal and continuous buying processes. Insights from this research are broadly applicable to the contexts of knowledge intensive, innovation and solutions business. Further qualitative research should aim to form constructs and define their interrelations to be tested in subsequent quantitative research. Originality/value – This study generates new understanding on how buyers gather and use experience-based information to solve complex problems in buying. It contributes by merging references, word-of-mouth, collegial social networks, and reputation as sources of experience-based information, identifying information embedded in those means, and exploring how the information and means are used throughout the complex buying situation.

Perceptions of a heritage site and animosity: the case of the West Bank

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-777
Author(s):  
Villy Abraham ◽  
Yaniv Poria
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Site Management ◽  
Common View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Realistic Conflict Theory ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Common

Purpose Drawing on the theories of social identity and realistic conflict theory, the purpose of this study is to enrich the literature by proposing and testing a model conceptualizing the relationships between animosity, an antecedent (tourists’ perception of a heritage site) and demand variables (e.g. length of stay). Design/methodology/approach Data collected for the study is based on a combination of qualitative (20 interviews) and quantitative research (n = 330) methods. Findings The study demonstrates that animosity should be integrated into tourism research. The study provides relevant insights indicating that animosity harbored toward locals is crucial to the understanding of tourists’ behavior. Research limitations/implications The study provides relevant insights indicating that animosity harbored toward locals is crucial to the understanding of tourists’ behavior. Practical implications Managerial implications for those entrusted with the promotion of tourism and site management are suggested in areas at the heart of a conflict. Originality/value The study of animosity challenges the common view in heritage tourism which focus on positive emotions harbored by tourists. In the present study, the authors focus on the consequences of negative emotions.

scholarly journals Qualitative entrepreneurship authorship: antecedents, processes and consequences

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Smith ◽  
Gerard McElwee ◽  
Seonaidh McDonald ◽  
Sarah Drakopoulou Dodd
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Writing ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Explicit Discussion ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on a review of the writing practices and experiences of scholars who have published qualitative papers in the field of entrepreneurship. It evaluates existing knowledge about how “well‐published” entrepreneurship scholars go about writing up qualitative research. It identifies the antecedents, processes, and consequences of qualitative research authorship as self‐described by authors.Design/methodology/approachScholars who had published qualitative papers in the five top‐ranked entrepreneurship journals over a 20‐year period were asked to complete a qualitative survey about their writing practices. A qualitative analysis of 37 usable replies was undertaken.FindingsEntrepreneurship scholars perceive their qualitative research writing to be more enriching and philosophical than quantitative research. Although they feel strong connections with their research subjects, they find qualitative research difficult and time consuming to write up. It is hard to bridge the gap between working with large amounts of transcribed data and the editorial requirements of journals, without losing the vitality of data. Qualitative research and subsequent writing skills have often been learned by trial and error. Many are inspired by specific texts, which may include novels, poems or plays.Practical implicationsThis work shows how useful it is to discuss qualitative writing processes so that we may learn from the “blood, toil, tears and sweat” of those who have already successfully navigated both the writing and publishing of qualitative research.Originality/valueAlthough there is a vigorous debate within the entrepreneurship literature about the prevalence and suitability of different methods and methodological approaches, there is no explicit discussion of how researchers engage with writing up qualitative research for publication. The paper addresses this gap and shares insights and guidance from our community of practice.

Soft innovation in hotel services: case of Izmir City

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1025-1043
Author(s):  
Ige Pirnar ◽  
Yasemin Celik Kamali ◽  
Engin Deniz Eris
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Customer Satisfaction ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hotel Managers ◽  
Boutique Hotels ◽  
The City

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to figure out the impacts of soft innovation in the city hotels in general, whereas the focus is on figuring out if there exists a difference in vitality on the components of soft innovation among the hotel categories, as 4 stars, 5 stars and boutique hotels in Izmir, Turkey. Design/methodology/approach The first part is related to a detailed literature review on the soft innovation components as color, sound, light, scent and decoration. Literature review is followed by a qualitative research where expert information on the research topic is collected. Judgmental sampling is used to identify experts’ views where in-depth semi-structured interviews are conducted with 12 hotel managers in Izmir city. The soft innovation hotel application areas taken into consideration are: lobby and reception, rooms, restaurant, bar and ballroom areas, meeting and congress halls, SPA and pools, gardens and landscape and other exterior hotel architecture. Findings The findings of the research reveal the sample hotel managers’ views as all the soft innovation applications are important for all city hotels regardless of their category, meaning that soft innovation may lead to better marketing results. Thus, according to hotel managers, soft innovation offerings have a potential for better customer satisfaction as positive feedback. However, the vitality degree among components changes according to the hotel’s category. For boutique hotels the most important component is found to be the decoration of the hotel, whereas for 4 stars hotels it is light and for 5 stars hotels it is scent. Research limitations/implications The results of this study give relatively limited information because only managers’ point of view are shown. In the research, customers’ perceptions on soft innovation based interviews with the top management of the hotels studied takes place, indicating which may not be the case to reflect the real perception of customers. Therefore, for further researches, it is recommended for the other researches to take into consideration of customers’ point of views as well. Also, time limitation, sample size and application of only qualitative research may be stated as the limitations for this study. Quantitative research applies to customers on the same topic and problem statement is recommended for further studies related to city hotels’ soft innovation applications. Practical implications Motivation of this study is to understand how soft innovation can change hotels’ atmosphere and make it more attractive from the managers’ perceptions. According to hotel managers’ views, soft innovation applications may lead to higher customer satisfaction, but the level of investment among the components may change according to the city hotel’s category. Research implications indicate that hotel managers may optimize the effectiveness of their soft innovation efforts by taking into consideration their hotel type, application areas and innovation category as decoration, color, scent, sound and light. According to hotel managers, decoration-related soft innovation is more important to boutique hotels, lighting-related soft innovation is an effective investment for 4 stars hotels and scent-related soft innovation is a suitable investment for 5 stars hotels. Originality/value The originality of the study lies in the analysis of the components of soft innovation as a means for effective city hotel marketing and innovative management applications. Though it is a very suitable industry for implementation, improvement and development, there are limited studies on soft innovation applications in the hotel industry.

Mathematical Prelude: A Selective Introduction to Logic and Set Theory for Social Scientists

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Goertz ◽  
James Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Set Theory ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Statistics And Probability ◽  
Aggregation Techniques ◽  
The Social ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

This chapter considers some key ideas from logic and set theory as they relate to qualitative research in the social sciences, including ideas concerning necessary and sufficient conditions. It also highlights a major contrast between qualitative and quantitative research: whereas quantitative research draws on mathematical tools associated with statistics and probability theory, qualitative research is often based on set theory and logic. The chapter first compares the natural language of logic in the qualitative culture with the language of probability and statistics in the quantitative culture. It then considers the necessary conditions and sufficient conditions as basis for qualitative methods, focusing on set theory and Venn diagrams, two-by-two tables, and truth tables. It also discusses the use of qualitative and quantitative aggregation techniques and concludes by explaining the criteria for assessing the “fit” of the model or the “importance” of a given causal factor.

scholarly journals “Sing along with the Common People”: Politics, Postcolonialism, and other Figures

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Postcolonial Theory ◽  
Cultural Theory ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Colonial Discourse ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Common People ◽  
Figures Of Speech ◽  
Recent Interest ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Relationship

Recent interest amongst critical human geographers in postcolonial theory has been framed by a concern for the relationship between ‘polities’ and ‘theory’. In this paper I address debates in the field of colonial discourse analysis in order to explore the connections between particular conceptions of language and particular models of politics to which oppositional academics consider themselves responsible, The rhetorical representation of empowerment and disempowerment through figures of ‘speech’ and ‘silence’, respectively, is critically examined in order to expose the limits of this representation of power relations. Through a reading of Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's account of the dilemmas of subaltern representation, contrasted to that of Benita Parry, and staged via an account of their different interpretations of the exemplary postcolonial fictions of J M Coetzee, it is argued that the deconstruction of the conventional metaphories of speech and silence calls into view the irreducible textuality of the work of representation. This implies that questions about institutional positionality and academic authority be kept squarely in sight when discussing the problems of representing the struggles and agency of marginalised social groups. It is suggested that the continuing suspicion of literary and cultural theory amongst social scientists for being insufficiently ‘materialist’ and/or ‘political’ may serve to reproduce certain forms of institutionally sanctioned disciplinary authority.

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