Methodological Issues in Management Research by Subudhi Rabi N.;Mishra Sumita;

Author:Subudhi, Rabi N.;Mishra, Sumita;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited
Published: 2019-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

Main Steps in Qualitative Research

Strength of qualitative research lies in exploring unknown domains and generates meaningful rich data from participants’ perspective. Hence research process is iterative in qualitative research. Following are the mains steps in qualitative research:

Broad Research Question

Qualitative research starts with broad but focused research question, like the one to understand expatriates perception of Indian culture. It must be clear, comprehensible, and unambiguous. The research question should be socially relevant and useful. As India is host to many multinational companies, it is very relevant question to understand interpersonal dynamics between Indians and expatriates.

Broad Literature Review

The literature review is useful and desirable before one starts his or her research. It helps to identify specific areas to be explored through the study. Qualitative research starts with broad literature review and offer flexibility to revise or sharpen the research objectives as researcher begun to understand context.

Unit of Study

Qualitative research is concerned about getter deeper insights and meaning. It can be based on single subject or just one case, a small group, a small community, or a small organization. Study design is focused on getting into participants world hence most of the qualitative studies are based on small sample size.

Eliciting Human Experiences

At data collection stage researcher should not filter any observation, conversation, or interview data. Researcher should be mentally, emotionally, and physically fit to absorb and comprehend data coming from multiple sources. Effort should be made to create thick description of the setting.

Data Churning

Data churning is similar to the process of churning of curd, milk, or any other fluid. Churning of milk involves vigorous agitation of milk in order to separate butter from butter milk. In a similar fashion, data are always churning in the mind of the researcher and he is in a constant attempt to separate the relevant information from all the data that he/she has gathered till now. It is a process of deep engagement with the data internally and the researcher must be comfortable with the process which goes back and forth. This is a kind of spontaneous process of emergence. In Indian analogy, it can also be seen as the churning of the cosmic ocean, which is full of all kinds of elements including amrita (the nectar for immortal life) and visha (poison), in order to obtain amrita. Then codes, themes or categories are identified; both a priory and emerging issues are curled out through an iterative process of reading, data collection, and data analysis. Further data collection is done for greater clarity of some emerging issues, such as during the analysis, research found that trust is repeatedly mentioned by respondents.

Interpretation of the Data

Researcher should revolve around data to interpret and explain study findings. Use of quotations or observations help to support and describe themes and categories emerged in data churning process. Use of analogy and metaphorical thinking is useful at this stage.

Conceptual and Theoretical Linkages and Significance of the Findings

Qualitative researcher need to demonstrate the bases on which interpretations have been made and conclusions reached through showing the evidence available to support them.

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