Teaching qualitative research: Lessons from graduate students

The field of qualitative inquiry (QI) has grown exponentially over the past two decades (Denzin & Lincoln, 2018) and qualitative methodology texts are in abundance and theoretically enlightening. There are many helpful discussions about thematic, narrative and arts-based approaches (Barone & Eisner, 2012; Bocher & Ellis, 2016; Butler-Kisber, 2018; Clandinin, 2000; Creswell & Poth, 2017; Leavy, 2009; Maykut & Morehouse, 1994; Maxwell, 2006; Savin-Baden & Howell Major, 2013; Sousanis, 2015). Often missing are clear explications of analytic processes which vary significantly across the spectrum of QI. Needed are transparent, hands-on approaches, ones that are both grounded and rigorous, and enable researchers to cope with the vast amount of qualitative data. Based on twenty years of teaching advanced qualitative methods, this workshop will involve the audience in the best lessons learned for applying thematic, narrative and arts-based approaches. For example, one presenter will lead another through a think-aloud approach to thematic analysis to show how to move from a descriptive to a conceptual understanding of the data. Another will demonstrate how interview data can be transformed into narrative. Then these exercises will be implemented by the audience. Each participant will leave with at least three different ways of analyzing data. References Savin-Baden, M., & Howell Major, C. (2013). Qualitative research: The essential guide to theory and practice. London: Routledge. Barone, T., & Eisner, E. W. (2012). Arts-based research. Los Angeles: Sage. Bochner, A. P., & Ellis, C. (2016). Evocative authoethnography: Writing lives and telling stories. New York: Routledge. Butler-Kisber, L. (2018). Qualitative inquiry: Thematic, narrative and art-based perspectives (2nd ed.). London: Sage. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The Sage handbook of qualitative research (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Clandinin, D. J. (2013). Engaging in narrative inquiry. New York: Routledge. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Leavy, P. (2009). Method meets art: Arts-based research practice. New York: Guilford. Maykut, P., & Morehouse, R. (1994). Beginning qualitative research: A philosophic and practical guide. London: RoutledgeFalmer. Maxwell, J. A. (2006). Qualitative research design: An interactive approach (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Sousanis, N. (2015). Unflattening. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press