Benchmarking Good Practice in Qualitative Management Research

This paper is based upon the findings so far of an ESRC funded project investigating the use and evaluation of qualitative methods in management research. Work began in March 2003 and is scheduled to run until February 2005. The project is part of a larger programme of work being funded by the ESRC, which focuses specifically on extending and improving Research Methods in the research and practitioner communities. We are moving towards some ideas and understanding about the issues that might influence the quality of qualitative research and where this might lead in terms of the development of more training, education and dialogue. In this paper, we discuss our work so far in exploring this area and the issues that it raises

Benchmarking good practice in qualitative management research

This report presents an analysis of assessment criteria and training needs for qualitative management research. 45 in-depth interviews were held with members of four panels: academic disseminators; practitioners; doctoral programme leaders; and qualitative researchers. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and interpreted with the aid of template analysis. This report presents six major themes from this analysis concerning qualitative management research: definitions; status and credibility; good practice; assessment criteria; training needs; professional and institutional context. A variety of definitions of qualitative management research were identified ranging from indicating a central concern with the subjectivity of research practice to barely constituting research at all. Such a range of definitions indicates the range of work in the area but also implies that the derivation of a set of universal assessment criteria is problematic. Sources of research credibility also varied widely. To some extent judgements of credibility were seen to depend on aspects of the nature and conduct of the research itself (e.g. methodical, conclusive, technically skilled etc), but also as influenced by symbolism and context. In general definitions of credibility were seen to disadvantage qualitative research. Various elements of good practice in relation to qualitative management research were identified (and sometimes disputed) including flexible research design, epistemologically coherent analysis, reflexivity concerning process and product of research and a persuasive, engaging presentation. Assessing qualitative management research appeared to be more of an intuitive decision-making process than an application of known and agreed criteria (cf quantitative research). Judgements in these areas vary according to the beliefs and commitments of the individual. Reflecting this variety, a summary table of contingent criteria is presented at the end of the report. Provision of qualitative research training was seen to vary but be generally scarce and of poor quality . Specific training needs included: ‘technical’ skills, such as data analysis techniques and writing; knowledge of underlying philosophical issues; reviewing skills; and PhD supervision. Current research practice was seen to be deeply affected by pressures within the current academic context including audit processes and career needs. Such pressures may work against the adoption of qualitative management research. In general all these issues were seen to be highly related and inter-dependent. While some contextual issues cannot be addressed by this research, the report concludes with an overview of the qualitative management research workshops derived from our interpretation of the interviewees’ observations

Benchmarking Good Practice in Qualitative Management Research

This paper is based upon the findings so far of an ESRC funded project investigating the use and evaluation of qualitative methods in management research. Work began in March 2003 and is scheduled to run until February 2005. The project is part of a larger programme of work being funded by the ESRC, which focuses specifically on extending and improving Research Methods in the research and practitioner communities. We are moving towards some ideas and understanding about the issues that might influence the quality of qualitative research and where this might lead in terms of the development of more training, education and dialogue. In this paper, we discuss our work so far in exploring this area and the issues that it raises

Defining qualitative management research: an empirical investigation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of research which explores how the concept qualitative management research is variably constructed and defined by those who have a direct interest in, and influence upon, important aspects of qualitative management research. Design/methodology/approach – Information was gathered through the use of semi-structured interviews conducted with 44 individuals who were drawn from four observer-identified types of “expert” informant who were taken to generally represent key groups of stakeholders in the conduct, evaluation and dissemination of qualitative management research. Interview data from these individuals were analysed though an iterative process using the NVivo software package to inductively generate definitional categories and explore aspects of their interrelationships. Findings – From data analysis it was apparent that there are eight different, but often interrelated, ways in which interviewees define qualitative management research. The philosophical dimensions of each of these variable definitions are outlined and their relationships to the methodological literature are explored. The variety identified amongst informants, indicates how there is a potential dissensus possible regarding what qualitative management research might entail, as well as regarding its provenance and its academic status. This dissensus potentially can create problems with regard to its evaluation. Originality/value – So whist there is little evidence to suggest any systematic relationship between the variable institutional backgrounds of informants and how they variably define and perceive qualitative management research, philosophical influences upon this contested terrain are explored and the implications of the identified dissensus for how qualitative management research is perceived and evaluated is discussed. The implications of this evidently contested terrain are discussed with particular reference to the future constitution of qualitative management research and its evaluation

Qualitative methods in management research: An introduction to the themed issue

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to introduce the themed issue about qualitative research in the business and management field Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers some issues about how to define the term “qualitative research”, and then introduces each of the papers in the themed issue. Findings – The contents of this themed issue demonstrate the insights that qualitative research can make into the management field. Originality/value – A large amount of interest was generated in the themed issue. As a consequence, Emerald Publishing Group are launching a new journal which specifically focuses on qualitative research in this field

Issues and trends in computerisation within UK primary health care.

This paper charts the technological developments that have taken place within primary health care during the last 20 years, drawing upon previous research and presenting new survey findings on the current state of computerisation. The survey reveals that 96 per cent of UK practices use a clinical computer system, with repeat and acute prescribing, the collation of annual data and audits/searches being the most well used applications. The move towards the so-called “paperless” practice is strongly related to GPs’ computing expertise, with larger practices more likely to have gone in this direction. Over half of GP practices now have access to the Internet. Improvement of computing skills appears a major determinant of successful integration of technology within a practice. There is a need to develop a social architecture and learning environment that allows GPs to provide good quality health care with clinical computer systems at its heart

The role and status of qualitative methods in management research: an empirical account

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a piece of empirical work that investigates the current role and status of qualitative research within the management field. Design/methodology/approach – The research is based on 45 in-depth qualitative interviews with members of a range of different stakeholder groups, including: journal editors; qualitative researchers; Doctoral Programme Leaders; practitioners; and those who fund qualitative management research. Findings – The findings suggest that there is considerable variety in definitions of qualitative research; that there are still a number of issues surrounding the status and credibility of qualitative research within the field; and there is a need for greater access to researcher training in this area. Practical implications – The paper is of practical interest to qualitative researchers in that it details some of the issues surrounding publishing qualitative work. Originality/value – The paper presents original empirical work in this field