Title: Moving from Qualitative Data to Theoretical Insights: The Craft of Developing Rigorous Yet Relevant Contributions
Abstract: In my many years of qualitative research experience as an author, reviewer, editor, and mentor, perhaps the most challenging questions from other qualitative researchers involve the issue of how to develop meaningful theoretical insights from an empirical analysis of qualitative data. Part of the reason why these questions are so challenging is because crafting meaningful theoretical insights involves intuition and humble confidence, two skills that can really only be built through experience. How do you explain or teach such tacit concepts that can really only be learned by doing? Confronting this issue is what this session will be about as we explore how less experienced qualitative researchers can learn how to develop rigorous yet relevant contributions. At the same time, we can discuss how more experienced qualitative researchers can help novices develop their theorizing skills. To help situate the discussion, I'll start with some of the ideas and suggestions I have developed with my co-authors (Ann Langley & Charlotte Cloutier) for a book we are writing about the craft of doing high quality qualitative research.