Underlying thematic analysis are a few fundamental human cognitive processes, such as categorizing, prototyping and metaphorical mapping. By unpacking these basic processes of human cognition, this paper hopes to provide a cognitive basis for thematic analysis as a foundational method in data analysis for qualitative research. In particular, it…

This article presents the qualitative complement to Pizarro Milian and Zarifa's (2021) analysis of Canadian quantitative research on student transfer and mobility. Drawing on 75 qualitative peer-reviewed articles and institutional reports published between 1991 and 2022, we summarize the main findings and outline the data and methodological gaps…

Courses: Communication Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods. Communication Research Methods, Qualitative Research Methods. Objectives: This activity provides students with an experiential understanding of conducting reflexive thematic analysis in six steps: (1) understanding the data, (2) generating codes, (3) bringing codes into themes,…

This paper explores reflexivity in qualitative research, challenging conventional perspectives that revolve around the binary of 'insider' and 'outsider' positioning. While traditionally reflexivity has been understood through the lens of a researcher's socio-historical positionality, we argue for a more dynamic understanding, emphasizing that…

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the impact of the EdD experience on one teacher's understanding of data and research. From a first-person narrative, the author shares how learning to collect and analyze qualitative data has the potential to change the way teachers can engage with "data-driven decision making" in a high school…

In this article, we think-with nots, knots, and (k)nots in the interstices of theory, methodology, pedagogy, and art. We define the (k)not as a bringing together of nots--openings toward creativity, mapping, and disruption--and knots--openings toward connection, entanglement, and speculative futures. Playing (k)nots within our own relations,…

This article aims to provide a record of how the use of the method of photovoice facilitated an enriched teaching and learning experience for graduate students in a Theories of Social Justice in Health class. The course required students from multiple disciplines to learn about social justice theories and then apply them to a health issue/concern.…

This article explains and illustrates an approach to the design of qualitative inquiry in education using a conceptual methodology informed by a realist ontology. It is written with research novices in mind, based on two observations we have made while supervising postgraduate students. The first is that the methodology literature education…

Background: As calls for evidence-based policymaking become increasingly common, qualitative research has much to offer the policy community. However, policymakers frequently evidence a preference for quantitative research. By discounting the importance of qualitative research in the policymaking process, resulting policies and their target…

In this methodological inquiry, we ask: "What are the walls that block the examination of whiteness for white women when using photo-elicitation interviewing? What are the methodological possibilities and risks of photo elicitation with white women when critically studying whiteness?" Framed by concepts of white complicity, white…

This case study examines how to achieve trustworthiness and authenticity in qualitative research, specifically using interpretative phenomenological design. Focused on a doctoral study involving six teacher educators in Ethiopia, it outlines key strategies for maintaining credibility, including triangulating data sources, conducting member checks,…

Purpose: This article explores challenges faced by doctoral candidates using grounded theory (GT) in their theses, focusing on coding, theory development and time constraints. It also examines the impact of doctoral committees on GT dissertations, addressing epistemological clashes and the desire for familiarity over novelty.…

Critical thinking (CT) skills are essential to academic and professional success. Instruments to assess CT often rely on multiple-choice formats with inherent problems. This research presents two instruments for assessing CT, an essay and open-ended group-discussion format, which were implemented in an undergraduate business course at a large…

Assessing student knowledge based on their writing using traditional qualitative methods is time-consuming. To improve speed and consistency of text analysis, we present our mixed methods development of a machine learning predictive model to analyze student writing. Our approach involves two stages: first an exploratory sequential design, and…

Using a content analysis methodology, we examined 15 peer-reviewed articles published between 2009 and 2019 that used qualitative and mixed methods approaches to explore how college and university students experience food insecurity. Concerningly, there was limited variety in the methods employed across these articles and more discussion of…