Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers

Year 2013, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 95 - 102, 01.06.2013

Abstract

It is believed that through a journey of being a good researcher, it is beneficial to appreciate two different values drawing form two opposite paradigms, which in turn familiarizing oneself with two distinct conceptual frameworks thereby strengthening individual‟s research capacity. In this paper, a novice qualitative researcher shares four lessons learned from the process of conducting his first qualitative study. The lessons are: (a) Do your homework on the literature; (b) Carefully read regulations of Institutional Review Board; (c) Any confusion, ask the experts first; (d) If possible, try to use qualitative data analysis software; and (e) Reflect and challenge your assumptions all the time.

References

  • Educational Researcher, 31(7), 28-38. doi:
  • Ausband, L. (2006). Qualitative research and quilting: Advice for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 11(4), 764-770.
  • Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559.
  • Bowen, G. A. (2005). Preparing a qualitative research-based dissertation: Lessons learned. The Qualitative Report, 10(2), 208-222.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2007). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
  • Efinger, J., Maldonado, J., & McArdle, G. (2004). PhD students‟ perceptions of the relationship between philosophy and research: A qualitative investigation. The Qualitative Report, 9(4), 732- 759.
  • Hunt, M. R. (2010). Acting waiting: Habits and the practice of conducting qualitative research. International journal of qualitative methods, 9(1), 69-76.
  • Knoche, L. L., & Zamboanga, B. L. (2006). College student mentors and Latino youth: A qualitative study of the mentoring relationship. The Qualitative Report, 11(1), 138-160.
  • Krauss, S. E. (2005). Research paradigms and meaning making: A primer. The Qualitative Report, 10(4), 758-770.
  • Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2007). An array of qualitative data analysis tools: A call for data analysis triangulation. School Psychology Quarterly, 22(4), 557-584.
  • Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Mezirow, J. (2004). Forum comment on Sharan Merriam's “the role of cognitive development in Mezirow's transformational learning theory”. Adult Education Quarterly, 55(1), 69-70. doi:10.1177/0741713604268892
  • Merriam, S. B., & Associates (2002). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis. San Francisco, SA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Nvivo 9 (2010). [Computer software]. Doncaster, Victoria, Australia: QSR International.
  • Petocz, P., Reid, A., & Taylor, P. (2009). Thinking outside the square: Business students‟ conceptions of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 21(4), 409-416. doi:10.1080/10400410903297998
  • Reisetter, M., Yexley, M., Bonds, D., Nikels, H., & McHenry, W. (2003). Shifting paradigms and mapping the process: Graduate students respond to qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 8(3), 462-480.
  • Rowlands, B. (2005). Grounded in practice: Using interpretive research to build theory. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology, 3(1), 81-92.
  • Sangasubana, N. (2009). How to conduct ethnographic research. The Weekly Qualitative Report, 2(36), 208-214.
Year 2013, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 95 - 102, 01.06.2013

Abstract

References

  • Educational Researcher, 31(7), 28-38. doi:
  • Ausband, L. (2006). Qualitative research and quilting: Advice for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 11(4), 764-770.
  • Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559.
  • Bowen, G. A. (2005). Preparing a qualitative research-based dissertation: Lessons learned. The Qualitative Report, 10(2), 208-222.
  • Creswell, J. W. (2007). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.
  • Efinger, J., Maldonado, J., & McArdle, G. (2004). PhD students‟ perceptions of the relationship between philosophy and research: A qualitative investigation. The Qualitative Report, 9(4), 732- 759.
  • Hunt, M. R. (2010). Acting waiting: Habits and the practice of conducting qualitative research. International journal of qualitative methods, 9(1), 69-76.
  • Knoche, L. L., & Zamboanga, B. L. (2006). College student mentors and Latino youth: A qualitative study of the mentoring relationship. The Qualitative Report, 11(1), 138-160.
  • Krauss, S. E. (2005). Research paradigms and meaning making: A primer. The Qualitative Report, 10(4), 758-770.
  • Leech, N. L., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2007). An array of qualitative data analysis tools: A call for data analysis triangulation. School Psychology Quarterly, 22(4), 557-584.
  • Mezirow, J. (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Mezirow, J. (2004). Forum comment on Sharan Merriam's “the role of cognitive development in Mezirow's transformational learning theory”. Adult Education Quarterly, 55(1), 69-70. doi:10.1177/0741713604268892
  • Merriam, S. B., & Associates (2002). Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis. San Francisco, SA: Jossey-Bass.
  • Nvivo 9 (2010). [Computer software]. Doncaster, Victoria, Australia: QSR International.
  • Petocz, P., Reid, A., & Taylor, P. (2009). Thinking outside the square: Business students‟ conceptions of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 21(4), 409-416. doi:10.1080/10400410903297998
  • Reisetter, M., Yexley, M., Bonds, D., Nikels, H., & McHenry, W. (2003). Shifting paradigms and mapping the process: Graduate students respond to qualitative research. The Qualitative Report, 8(3), 462-480.
  • Rowlands, B. (2005). Grounded in practice: Using interpretive research to build theory. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methodology, 3(1), 81-92.
  • Sangasubana, N. (2009). How to conduct ethnographic research. The Weekly Qualitative Report, 2(36), 208-214.
There are 18 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Studies on Education
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Kuan Chen Tsai This is me

Publication Date June 1, 2013
Submission Date April 3, 2015
Published in Issue Year 2013 Volume: 3 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Tsai, K. C. . (2013). A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, 3(1), 95-102.
AMA Tsai KC. A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers. AJESI. June 2013;3(1):95-102.
Chicago Tsai, Kuan Chen. “A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers”. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International 3, no. 1 (June 2013): 95-102.
EndNote Tsai KC (June 1, 2013) A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International 3 1 95–102.
IEEE K. C. . Tsai, “A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers”, AJESI, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 95–102, 2013.
ISNAD Tsai, Kuan Chen. “A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers”. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International 3/1 (June 2013), 95-102.
JAMA Tsai KC. A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers. AJESI. 2013;3:95–102.
MLA Tsai, Kuan Chen. “A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers”. Anadolu Journal of Educational Sciences International, vol. 3, no. 1, 2013, pp. 95-102.
Vancouver Tsai KC. A Journey to the Qualitative Wonderland: Lessons Learned for Novice Researchers. AJESI. 2013;3(1):95-102.