qualitative research for business studies

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Qualitative designs and methodologies for business, management, and organizational research.

• Robert P. Gephart Robert P. Gephart Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
• , and  Rohny Saylors Rohny Saylors Carson College of Business, Washington State University
• https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190224851.013.230
• Published online: 28 September 2020

Qualitative research designs provide future-oriented plans for undertaking research. Designs should describe how to effectively address and answer a specific research question using qualitative data and qualitative analysis techniques. Designs connect research objectives to observations, data, methods, interpretations, and research outcomes. Qualitative research designs focus initially on collecting data to provide a naturalistic view of social phenomena and understand the meaning the social world holds from the point of view of social actors in real settings. The outcomes of qualitative research designs are situated narratives of peoples’ activities in real settings, reasoned explanations of behavior, discoveries of new phenomena, and creating and testing of theories.

A three-level framework can be used to describe the layers of qualitative research design and conceptualize its multifaceted nature. Note, however, that qualitative research is a flexible and not fixed process, unlike conventional positivist research designs that are unchanged after data collection commences. Flexibility provides qualitative research with the capacity to alter foci during the research process and make new and emerging discoveries.

The first or methods layer of the research design process uses social science methods to rigorously describe organizational phenomena and provide evidence that is useful for explaining phenomena and developing theory. Description is done using empirical research methods for data collection including case studies, interviews, participant observation, ethnography, and collection of texts, records, and documents.

The second or methodological layer of research design offers three formal logical strategies to analyze data and address research questions: (a) induction to answer descriptive “what” questions; (b) deduction and hypothesis testing to address theory oriented “why” questions; and (c) abduction to understand questions about what, how, and why phenomena occur.

The third or social science paradigm layer of research design is formed by broad social science traditions and approaches that reflect distinct theoretical epistemologies—theories of knowledge—and diverse empirical research practices. These perspectives include positivism, interpretive induction, and interpretive abduction (interpretive science). There are also scholarly research perspectives that reflect on and challenge or seek to change management thinking and practice, rather than producing rigorous empirical research or evidence based findings. These perspectives include critical research, postmodern research, and organization development.

Three additional issues are important to future qualitative research designs. First, there is renewed interest in the value of covert research undertaken without the informed consent of participants. Second, there is an ongoing discussion of the best style to use for reporting qualitative research. Third, there are new ways to integrate qualitative and quantitative data. These are needed to better address the interplay of qualitative and quantitative phenomena that are both found in everyday discourse, a phenomenon that has been overlooked.

• qualitative methods
• research design
• methods and methodologies
• interpretive induction
• interpretive science
• critical theory
• postmodernism
• organization development

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Qualitative Methods in Business Research

• By: Päivi Eriksson & Anne Kovalainen
• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Series: Introducing Qualitative Methods
• Publication year: 2008
• Online pub date: January 01, 2011
• Discipline: Business and Management
• Methods: Research questions , Case study research , Focus groups
• DOI: https:// doi. org/10.4135/9780857028044
• Keywords: discourse , exercise , knowledge , organizations , strategic management , students , tradition Show all Show less
• Print ISBN: 9781412903172
• Online ISBN: 9780857028044
• Buy the book icon link

Subject index

Covering all the major qualitative approaches in business studies (including case study research, ethnography, narrative inquiry, discourse analysis, grounded theory and action research), this practical how-to guide shows how qualitative methods are used within management, marketing, organizational studies and accounting. Within each approach, the authors consider crucial issues such as framing the research, generating research questions, getting access, collecting empirical materials, reporting the results and evaluating the research. Original case studies drawn from around the world are included throughout to demonstrate the practical applications of the methods discussed.

Front Matter

• Preface and acknowledgements
• 1 | Introduction
• 2 | Research Philosophy
• 3 | Research Design and Process
• 4 | Focus and Frame
• 5 | Access and Relationships
• 6 | Ethics in Research
• 7 | Qualitative Research Materials
• 8 | Electronic Research
• 9 | Case Study Research
• 10 | Ethnographic Research
• 11 | Grounded Theory Research
• 12 | Focus Group Research
• 13 | Action Research
• 14 | Narrative Research
• 15 | Discourse Analysis
• 16 | Feminist Research
• 17 | Critical Research
• 18 | Writing Process
• 19 | Qualitative Research Evaluation
• 20 | Closing Up

Back Matter

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The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods

• Catherine Cassell - University of Birmingham, UK
• Ann L Cunliffe - FGV EAESP Brazil
• Gina Grandy - University of Regina, Canada
• Description

The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods provides a state-of–the-art overview of qualitative research methods in the business and management field.

The Handbook celebrates the diversity of the field by drawing from a wide range of traditions and by bringing together a number of leading international researchers engaged in studying a variety of topics through multiple qualitative methods. The chapters address the philosophical underpinnings of particular approaches to research, contemporary illustrations, references, and practical guidelines for their use.  The two volumes therefore provide a useful resource for Ph.D. students and early career researchers interested in developing and expanding their knowledge and practice of qualitative research. In covering established and emerging methods, it also provides an invaluable source of information for faculty teaching qualitative research methods.

 The contents of the Handbook are arranged into two volumes covering seven key themes:

  Volume One: History and Tradition

Part One:   Influential Traditions: underpinning qualitative research: positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, constructionism, critical, poststructuralism, hermeneutics, postcolonialism, critical realism, mixed methods, grounded theory, feminist and indigenous approaches.

Part Two:   Research Designs: ethnography, field research, action research, case studies, process and practice methodologies.

Part Three :   The Researcher: positionality, reflexivity, ethics, gender and intersectionality, writing from the body, and achieving critical distance.

Part Four: Challenges: research design, access and departure, choosing participants, research across boundaries, writing for different audiences, ethics in international research, digital ethics, and publishing qualitative research.

  Volume Two: Methods and Challenges

Part One: Contemporary methods: interviews, archival analysis, autoethnography, rhetoric, historical, stories and narratives, discourse analysis, group methods, sociomateriality, fiction, metaphors, dramaturgy, diary, shadowing and thematic analysis.

Part Two: Visual methods: photographs, drawing, video, web images, semiotics and symbols, collages, documentaries.

Part Three: Methodological developments: aesthetics and smell, fuzzy set comparative analysis, sewing quilts, netnography, ethnomusicality, software, ANTI-history, emotion, and pattern matching. 

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

For assistance with your order: Please email us at [email protected] or connect with your SAGE representative.

SAGE 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 www.sagepub.com

In an age of handbook overload, this collection truly stands out. Covering an impressive range of approaches, issues, and techniques, it spans conventional and novel orientations with nuanced treatment from thoughtful and experienced researchers. This is a work that honors the “tried and true” even as it explores the cutting edge – a new essential companion for graduate education in qualitative inquiry.

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