Showing papers in "The Qualitative Report in 2019"

Exploring the Function of Member Checking

Abstract: Member checking is commonly used in qualitative research as a means to maintain validity; however, little has been published about the effects the member checking process may have on participants. In this article, I provide the experiences of two participants in a qualitative case study and argue how member checking should be used as a reflective space for participants.

Validity in Qualitative Research: A Processual Approach

Abstract: Validity and reliability of research and its results are important elements to provide evidence of the quality of research in the organizational field. However, validity is better evidenced in quantitative studies than in qualitative research studies. As there is diversity within qualitative research methods and techniques, there is no universally accepted criteria to assess validity in qualitative studies; its usefulness is also questioned. Therefore, in this paper, we argue that qualitative research should adopt a processual view approach of validity since it should not be the product of a single test or just one step in the research. Processual validity both supports good research and helps in its reflection and guidance. To illustrate our approach, we present the processual approach adopted by one of the coauthors during the development of a research project. We highlight the validity assurance activities for both ex ante and ex post research, peer review and participation in an international conference, which corroborated the quality of the processual approach and the results that were obtained.

Generalising from Qualitative Research (GQR): A New Old Approach

Abstract: In this paper, the authors debunk a long-held myth that generalisation is primarily the domain of quantitative research. Based on a review of modern and historical approaches to generalisation, they argue that generalisation from qualitative research (GQR) can be achieved, not through a process of self-justification, but through defensible and rigorous research design and methods. The authors go on to consider examples from their own qualitative research work spanning the last 20 years. From these examples they offer mechanisms that qualitative researchers can employ to generalise from their findings. They suggest that generalisation is achieved through a process of generalisation cycles (GCs) which produce normative truth statements (NTSs), which in turn can be contested or confirmed with theory and empirical evidence.

Maximizing NVivo Utilities to Analyze Open-Ended Responses

Abstract: Open-ended responses are widely used to explore and understand participants’ experiences and perspectives in a variety of fields. As one of the most powerful computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, NVivo allows researchers to analyze open-ended responses to survey and/or interview questions, as well as other text data like reflective writing, image, and videos. The purpose of this paper is to describe and demonstrate how the NVivo word frequency, text search, and matrix coding features can be used to analyze qualitative data from a longitudinal evaluation project. The authors show how the matrix coding feature maximizes NVivo utilities in an analysis of open-ended responses and highlights differences across and within participants’ groups. The authors explain this approach by presenting a step by step overview: data cleaning and case coding; data import; word frequency analysis; text coding and reference extracting; and matrix coding and inductive analysis. Using this approach, the Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) evaluation team acquired deeper insight into the participants’ experiences and perspectives about CTSI programs and received insights that may lead to improvement. From a methodological perspective, this approach capitalizes on NVivo’s features to mine qualitative data. The methodology described in this paper is applicable to other educational or program evaluations. Also, it is appropriate for analyzing large samples or longitudinal qualitative data in marketing and management.

Skype in Qualitative Interviews: Participant and Researcher Perspectives

Abstract: As Internet usage has increased, web-based technologies such as Skype and Face Time have become more common alternatives for qualitative interviewing, especially for research participants who are geographically distant from the researchers. Challenges to the use of these tools have been identified, but as technology is currently changing at a rapid pace, more recent research is needed to provide up-to-date information on the feasibility of web and video conferencing technologies for qualitative interviewing. This paper reflects on the experience of using Skype for qualitative research interviews (n=14) in a study of pregnancy and parenting in doctoral programs, including feedback from research participants who chose to complete the qualitative interview via Skype instead of telephone or face-to-face interviews. Twelve participants who completed Skype interviews provided feedback on their experiences using Skype for qualitative interviews. Feedback from participants highlight an overall positive perception of Skype interviews due to the availability of visual cues from researchers and flexibility, but participants also shared challenges in terms of technology issues and participants’ lack of expertise with the technology. Recommendations include the use of videoconferencing and digital technologies as an additional or alternative interview tool for qualitative interviews, especially for participants who have logistical challenges meeting researchers face-to-face.

Directed Qualitative Content Analysis (DQlCA): A Tool for Conflict Analysis

Abstract: Qualitative Content Analysis (QlCA) is a research methodology carried on in either an inductive or deductive way. The former way is widely used by qualitative researchers and is more presented in qualitative research manuals than the latter is. While in the inductive approach, the researcher draws categories/themes from data she collected to start her research, in the deductive, aka, directed approach, she rather draws them from (an) existing theory/ies to set up the categories/themes that guide her research. The deductive or directed qualitative content analysis (DQlCA) is used to test, to corroborate the pertinence of the theory/ies guiding the study or to extend the application of the theory/ies to contexts/cultures other than those in which that/those theory/ies was/were developed. It is more used by quantitative researchers than by qualitative ones. And while using it, these create their data. This article aims at reducing the above holes in the qualitative research tradition by proposing an 8-step DQlCA within three phases (Study Preparation, Data Analysis, and Results’ Reporting) to respond to the same purposes with data not created by the researcher. Some appendixes provide, in tables/displays, illustrations to serve as models to inspire conflict analyst researchers who choose DQlCA as their research methodology.

Cancer Blog Narratives: The Experience of Under-Fifty Women with Breast Cancer during Different Times after Diagnosis

Abstract: The recent literature shows an increase of breast cancer in women under 50, however still few are the studies which analyse the impact of the disease in this specific target age. This study aims at exploring the most prevalent topics in Italian cancer blogs of women who have received a breast cancer diagnosis before the age of 50, in order to understand their experience of illness and the characteristics of women’s narrations at different times after diagnosis (1 year, 2 years, 3 years). We collected the textual corpus of 4 Italian breast cancer blogs and performed a thematic analysis. Five themes resulted, which, after interpretation using factorial mapping, fall into 3 sense vectors: toward the thought of the experience; from the external to the internal world; breast cancer: from rigidity to mobility. The blog analysis allows to build a first step of the scientific knowledge about the traumatic specificity of this experience, showing a need for processing the emotions. This allows to think about clinical support practices tailored to this group, in order to develop a diachronic processing of the experience and the construction of a new continuity of life.

Constructing Professional Identities: Native English-Speaking Teachers in South Korea

Abstract: Responding to globalisation, a ubiquitous obsession with English has pervaded South Korea and led to the employment of tens of thousands of expatriate English teachers. However, native-speaking English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers may be subject to marginalisation and acculturation difficulties as they navigate overseas employment contexts. Moreover, scholars question the legitimacy of their careers and challenge the bias for their native-speaker expertise. Against this contentious backdrop, this study explores how the experiences and beliefs of native-speaking EFL teachers both promote and hinder their professional identity constructions. Adopting a qualitative, interpretivist approach, interviews are mobilised to document the participants’ lived realities. Resultant to a thematic analysis, an original typology of five conceptualisations of professional identity is presented, contributing to contemporary identity discourse by revealing that expatriate teachers find their sojourns characterised by much ambivalence, and whilst limited positive professional identity is attainable, there are salient barriers to its development.

Using scribes in qualitative research as an alternative to transcription

Abstract: Transcribing qualitative data is resource-intensive. One less intensive alternative is scribing: the documenting of comprehensive notes, including verbatim quotes by an independent observer during an interview. However, the extent to which a comparable thematic analysis can be derived from scribed interview data relative to verbatim transcriptions of these same interviews has not been investigated. Thus, the purpose of this study is to test the number and content of themes derived from interview data, which had been scribed versus transcribed verbatim and to identify the time and cost differences (if any) between obtaining, processing, and analysing scribed data compared to transcribed data. Two modes of scribing were evaluated: in-person (i.e., from notes obtained during live interviews), and from video-recordings of these same interviews. There was high consistency in the number and content of themes (highest at subtheme level) derived from scribed versus transcribed data. Scribing produced significantly less data than transcribing and was economically superior. Thus, in the context of interview-based studies in which common ideas or meaning are sought through thematic analysis, scribing yields a similarly rich set of themes as transcribing, and hence, may offer a valid and feasible alternative when resources are limited.

Online Blaming and Intimate Partner Violence: A Content Analysis of Social Media Comments

Abstract: Social media has become a ubiquitous form of interacting and sharing information. However, comments on social media sites are often aggressive and contemptuous, especially when topics are controversial or politically charged. For example, discussion of intimate partner violence (IPV) tends to provoke strong reactions from outsiders, who make angry or blaming remarks about those involved. Although IPV is common, it has not been widely discussed in popular media until recent years when high-profile cases of abuse have come to light. In 2016, a celebrity accusation of domestic violence led to thousands of comments on social media, with outsiders weighing in about who was at fault and what should be done. This study involved a content analysis of 400 of these comments, with the intent of better understanding typical types of social media reactions to domestic violence accusations. Key themes included judgment and blame, with around 37% of commenters blaming the supposed victim in this case, while only 9% blamed the alleged perpetrator. The findings show how people comment about domestic violence and illustrate the contentious and often distorted nature of social media interactions. Implications for professionals and researchers are discussed.

Demystifying Qualitative Data Analysis for Novice Qualitative Researchers

Abstract: Qualitative research is a rich and diverse discipline, yet novice qualitative researchers may struggle with figuring out how to approach their qualitative data analysis among the plethora of possibilities. After years of teaching qualitative research to undergraduate students, we have consistently seen their confusion, frustration, and even fear about how to approach their data. In an effort to help novice qualitative researchers come to grips with the “craft” of qualitative research, this paper presents a foundational model that facilitates a comprehensive yet manageable approach to qualitative data analysis. Based on an exhaustive review of expert qualitative methodologists, along with our own experience of teaching qualitative research, this model synthesises commonly-used analytic tactics that are likewise applicable to novice qualitative researchers. This foundational model consists of four iterative cycles: The Inspection Cycle, Coding Cycle, Categorisation Cycle, and Modelling Cycle, and memo-writing is inherent to the entire analysis process. Analysis begins with basic quantitative inspection of the data, followed by multiple coding cycles that begin with inductive approaches and move towards deductive strategies. Codes are then grouped and categories are drawn out. A final conceptual framework can thus be elaborated to synthesise and corroborate previous knowledge from the literature review with the findings that emerged from the data analysis. This model can also facilitate the development of reflexive and critical thinking skills: we often find that students are unsure and hesitant about engaging in interpretative thinking, so we foster their confidence and skills by emphasising memo-writing throughout the entire research process. In order to provide guidelines for novice researchers, we suggest three types of memos that can be applied to most qualitative research projects: the research diary, the methodological memo, and the analytical memo. The qualitative data analysis model presented in this paper can be used to analyse diverse types of qualitative data and it can be used with a variety of methodologies; if students are interested in exploring different qualitative data analysis methods, they can look to the references cited in the present analysis method for a good starting point. This qualitative data analysis method offers a solid foundation from which novice qualitative researchers may “get their hands dirty” with qualitative data analysis and develop their qualitative sensibility. The next time they embark upon a qualitative study, they will already have a clearer idea of how to go about the research and can thus make better-informed methodological and analytic decisions. For the novice qualitative researcher seeking to learn the craft of qualitative data analysis, the model outlined in this paper offers a structured way to familiarise yourself with some of the most common qualitative data analysis techniques while offering enough flexibility to be adapted within a wide range of qualitative methodologies and research areas.

A Model for Developing Interdisciplinary Research Theoretical Frameworks

Abstract: Embedded in interdisciplinary research, just as in disciplinary research, are statements of purpose, theoretical frameworks, research questions, reviews of literature, methodology, findings, recommendations, and more However, one of the least understood aspects of interdisciplinary research is the interdisciplinary research (IDR) theoretical framework. This article is intended to serve as a platform for dialogue within and across disciplines about interdisciplinary research and interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks. In addition, it provides a model for developing an IDR theoretical framework through an illustrative example of how an IDR theoretical framework was created and used within a dissertation study. We conclude the article noting critical elements about IDR and IDR theoretical frameworks for students and researchers to consider for enhancing their research.

“They can speak English, but they don’t want to use it.” Teaching Contents through English in a Bilingual School and Policy Recommendations

Abstract: The growing need for English as a key to global communication, relations, and information, is noticeable in schools around the world. In response to these imperatives of global competitiveness, one of the private bilingual schools in Indonesia has adopted English as a medium of instruction (EMI). The aim of this study was to explore the implementation of English as a language of instruction in a bilingual school in teaching contents in one private bilingual school in Jambi City, Indonesia. The data were collected through demographic profiles, documents, and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The documents were used to find out the comprehensive overview of the bilingual education program while the in-depth interviews were used to ask participants to narrate their accounts and perspectives on the use of English as the medium of instruction at a micro (classroom) level. Overall, the findings of this study revealed that the successful implementation of English as a language of instruction in a bilingual school were interrelatedly challenged by teachers’ attitude and ability to use English, language policy, teaching materials, students’ English proficiency, curriculum, student assessment, and admission policy. Implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed. Keywords: Bilingual Education, Case Study, Instruction, Teaching Content

Indonesian Adolescents Experience of Parenting Processes that Positively Impacted Youth Identity

Abstract: Javanese culture has particular characteristics in terms of parenting, where parents have a higher position than that of their children as a whole. On the other hand, Javanese adolescents are like teenagers in general, where they need freedom of thought and expression during the process of developing adolescent identity. Both of these conditions pose problems for educators and parents about how to do appropriate care for Javanese adolescents from the teenager’s perspective in order to get a meeting point. Research on the practice of parenting in Javanese culture about the perspective of adolescents is still very rare. In the present study, we aimed to explore the parenting style experienced by Indonesian adolescents in Javanese culture deemed to have a positive effect on the development of adolescent identity from youth perspective based on their experience. We used the philosophy of phenomenology to understand this phenomenon. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured individual interviews of 5 Indonesian teenagers aged between 16-17 years, living with parents in the Javanese cultural environment, known to the public as having a good self-identity. We use qualitative analysis to understand subjective experiences, which then form insights about parenting that have a positive impact on the process of building Javanese teen identity. From the research, we found that there are 3 main themes of parenting which according to adolescents have a positive impact during the process of building their identity, namely (1) The Goals: The existence of clear family education goals; (2) The Values: There are strong values that are instilled since childhood; and (3) The Strategy: ways to instill values through fostering culture in the family. In short, our research shows that the development of Indonesian teenagers’ identities in Javanese culture is influenced by the values instilled by their parents, which they have got since childhood, and their development continues to be controlled consistently by their parents.

“Nothing is ever easy”: Parent Perceptions of Intensity in Their Gifted Adolescent Children

Abstract: Due to asynchronous development, gifted children often experience the world differently than their same-aged peers. Some experience unique intensities, or overexcitabilities, that render modifications in teaching and parenting. These intensities typically take on characteristics of emotional, intellectual, imagination, psychomotor, or sensual overexcitability. In this in-depth interview study, I explored parent perceptions of intensity in their gifted adolescent children. Three mothers participated and completed the Overexcitability Inventory for Parents-Two (OIP-II) prior to each interview. The parent responses to the OIP-II served as an elicitation device to begin our conversations. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes among the participants’ perceptions: (1) challenging behaviors of intense gifted children, (2) consequences of intensity, and (3) a parent’s search for understanding. These findings inform the understanding of intensity and overexcitability from parents’ points of view and provide insight into how intense gifted children behave outside of the classroom. I conclude the article with questions to consider regarding how to better support parents of young gifted children.

Impact of Organizational Culture and Perceived Process Safety in the UAE Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract: In the last few decades, there had been a lot of accidents in the oil and gas industry throughout the world. This article reports a qualitative study of 30 employees employed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) oil and gas industry. Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) culture is a concept which was studied in many researches. However, this research is set to examine how certain behaviors affect the safety performance in UAE’s oil and gas industry. Four core themes that were drawn from the interviewee discussions of how safety culture, leadership safety behaviors, supervisory safety behaviors, and employee training on safety affect the employee’s performance on safety. The emergent narratives on the safety culture showed that an employee was likely to perceive safety in the organization favorably if s/he believed that his/her role in ensuring process safety was critical. Moreover, results pertaining to supervisory safety culture showed that the safety culture promoted by a supervisor within his/her role often set the standard for his/her subordinates constituted the benchmark against which all his/her subordinates rated their own idea and practice of safety culture. In addition, the findings confirm the important role played by safety leadership, which entails leader-follower interactions where the former influences the achievement of safety goals. Lastly, it was emphasized that safety training stimulated employees with negative or indifferent attitudes towards safety to be more actively engaged in safety matters in the organization.

Examining the impact of an English in action training program on secondary-school English teachers’ classroom practice in Bangladesh

Abstract: This article was published in the The Qualitative Report [© 2019 The Qualitative Report] and the definite version is available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol24/iss3/2/

Transparency and Coherence in a Doctoral Study Case Analysis: Reflecting on the Use of NVivo within a 'Framework' Approach

Abstract: This article describes and reflects on the analytical process undertaken on a qualitative case study analysis exploring the concept of interprofessional education (IPE) in Malta. The analysis which employed the ‘Framework’ approach executed by qualitative data analysis (QDAS) software, specifically NVivo, served to produce an audit trail eliciting how the data, findings, interpretations and subsequent conclusions were all tracked and grounded in the raw data. This paper offers a reflective account of my experience in using NVivo highlighting the potential of this software as facilitating a more rigorous and transparent approach to qualitative data analysis.

Assessing the Uniqueness of Indigenous Language in Advertising: Analysis of Figurative Language Used in Selected Telecommunication Yoruba Advertisement in Nigeria

Abstract: In this paper, the researchers look at the uniqueness of indigenous language and how figurative language is used to communicate meaning in telecommunication Yoruba advertisements. There are four major telecommunication operators in Nigeria- MTN, Airtel, GLO and 9 mobile. The highest two operators with active subscribers-MTN and Airtel were chosen for this study. All MTN Yoruba advertisements and all airtel Yoruba advertisements were the population of the study. Through random sampling, MTN Smart Recharge advertisement and Airtel Goody bag advertisement were the sample. The qualitative textual analysis was employed to examine the figurative languages used in MTN Smart Recharge Yoruba advertisement and Airtel Goody bag Yoruba advertisement. The researchers found that 12 figurative languages were used and described in 25 presentations (Metaphor, allusion, symbolism, eulogy, sarcasm, pun, anaphora, repetition, hyperbole, simile, alliteration, rhetorical question) in the two selected advertisements. We, therefore, recommend among others that advertisers, not just telecommunication companies should pay serious attention to the use of figurative language that can attract the audience to their services and show the uniqueness of indigenous language.

Thinking about Cross-Cultural Differences in Qualitative Interviewing: Practices for More Responsive and Trusting Encounters

Abstract: Existing methodological efforts subsume the interview into broad epistemological abstractions, neglecting actual mechanics of the interview as practice, and dismiss linguistic and cultural asymmetry in the interview as a matter of (in)adequate resources. Reflecting on 24 semi-structured interviews exploring social media use among Hong Kong youth, this article develops a culturally sensitive approach that democratically exposes the way cultural norms surface in communication, using strategies which (a) transform the dialogical mechanics of an interview—reflecting back and encouraging; (b) transform the positionality of the researcher—building intersubjectivity and emotional rapport; (c) transform the context of the interview—making shifts in space, language, and presentation. In doing so, a culturally sensitive approach generates practical recommendations for (a) humanizing the researcher to dismantle power imbalances and social distances and (b) naturalizing the interview into a more conversational form, both of which combine to expose the cultural logics that govern action and interpretation whilst constructing results into intimate narratives of people’s life-worlds.

A Call for Enhancing Saturation at the Qualitative Data Analysis Stage via the Use of Multiple Qualitative Data Analysis Approaches

Abstract: The analysis of data represents the most important and difficult step in the qualitative research process. Thus, recently, a few authors have written methodological works that contain discussion of an array of qualitative data analysis approaches. Yet, despite the call of Leech and Onwuegbuzie (2007) a decade ago for qualitative researchers to analyze a given set of qualitative data in multiple ways, this practice has been largely ignored. Thus, in this article, we bolster the argument for conducting multiple data analyses. In particular, we use data stemming from an interview to demonstrate how using five qualitative data analysis approaches (e.g., constant comparison analysis, discourse analysis) helped to enhance what we refer to as analysis saturation, thereby increasing verstehen (i.e., understanding).

Choice Mums and Children’s Education. Does Feminism Matter? A Qualitative Study

Abstract: The aim of this article is to analyse and compare the experiences of self-labelled feminist and non-feminist women who have consciously chosen to be single mothers. This article contributes to the literature by providing a Spanish context to the experiences of single mothers by choice. Scant research currently exists on the specific characteristics of this type of family and on the influence of gender composition. Furthermore, no research has been conducted on the comparison between feminist and non-feminist single mothers by choice and how their different perspectives may affect their children’s education. The principal argument of this paper is based on four central themes developed from the data: a) The women participating in this study have opted to be single mothers by choice because they have not found a suitable partner; b) Being single mothers by choice has, for all of them, entailed a transgressive and empowering decision with regard to the traditional nuclear family; c) The feminist participants anchor their decision to be a single-mother family by choice in their feminism, which is also reflected in the critical pedagogy that they practise in their children´s education and in the choice of secular schooling; and d) For the non-feminist participants, the empowering and emancipatory aspect of being a single mother by choice, their educational level, professional success and economic independence do not have an impact on their patriarchal beliefs, and prefer Catholic schools for their children.

The Experiences of Healthcare Professional Students about the Educational Impacts of Mobile Learning

Abstract: The role of mobile devices in learning processes is growing rapidly and it is imperative to assess the effect of this technology. This paper explores the experience of healthcare professional students with regard to the educational impacts of mobile learning. We conducted a qualitative study using a conventional qualitative content analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman (2004) method to collect and analyze the experiences of 23 healthcare professional students. Two themes, each with subthemes, emerged from the findings: (1) perceived benefit in learning process, and (2) reflective self-assessment. The results revealed that mobile learning has a positive impact on both the process and the outcome of learning in healthcare professional students. Therefore, creating a supportive condition to promote mobile learning is recommended.

Research with Children: Context, Power, and Representation

Abstract: In this article, we examine methodological issues qualitative researchers encounter when they engage in research with children. Within this view, qualitative research is employed with children but not on children and focus is placed upon children’s voices, agency, and the ways they participate with researchers in the research process (Einarsdóttir, 2007). Our discussion draws upon a study we conducted with four- and five-year-old children on the preschool playground. We reflect upon methodological issues pertaining to researching with children; issues of context, power, and representation.

A Qualitative Expert Interview Approach towards Understanding Religious Extremism among Malaysian Youth

Abstract: Religious extremism among Muslim youth is an emergent challenge and a variety of factors contribute towards its rise. However, few studies have explored this phenomenon in predominantly Muslim countries. Using expert interview approach, this study explored factors that provoke Malaysian youth into joining religious extremist groups and discussed findings from a social-ecological theory perspective. Inductive thematic analysis guided by socio-ecological theory was employed to analyze the data. Factors identified were Islamic Ideology-choice & Interpretation, Ummah and Practicality, and Charismatic leadership. The investigation through the social-ecological lens suggests that these causes mainly interacted at the macro-ecological and community-levels to influence the behaviour of Malaysian youths.

Teaching Qualitative Research Methods Online: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Abstract: Online education has become well established as an avenue for flexible access to educational opportunities. Those who teach qualitative research methods online may find it difficult to locate research or best practice literature to inform practice. A scoping review was conducted to identify and synthesize the literature about teaching qualitative research methods courses online. Eleven peer-reviewed journal articles were identified through a scoping review of the literature. The TPACK framework, which defines teacher knowledge in terms of technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge, was used as a conceptual framework. Results from this scoping review indicate that online qualitative research methods educators choose course goals, instructional modules, and topics in a manner consistent with instructional design approaches. Pedagogical approaches included orientation strategies, strategic use of instructional media, online discussions, applied research activities, and writing projects. Technology was used for course management, to develop content, for communication, and to enable online teaching strategies in an online environment. The literature informs teaching practice in qualitative research methods education, but more research is needed to develop knowledge in this under explored area.

Using Facebook Secret Groups for Qualitative Data Collection

Abstract: The popularity of Facebook (FB) has led researchers to seek ways of using the social media platform in their empirical research. One approach is to use FB’s secret groups tool to conduct asynchronous online focus groups. In this research note, I outline the steps to using FB secret groups along with the strengths and weaknesses of this approach. I used FB’s secret groups function to conduct three asynchronous online focus groups. I recruited caregivers of children with sensory processing disorder or “sensory issues” who took part by writing about their experiences online. By using Facebook secret groups, the researcher can meet participants in a setting they are familiar with (i.e., FB) which reduces the barriers to participating in a research study. The researcher, however, gives up some control over the research setting. This report fills a gap in the literature with a description of the logistics of using Facebook for online focus groups; this description is designed to help future researchers use this method in their studies of harder-to-reach populations (e.g., parents or caregivers).

Top-Down English Policy and Bottom-Up Teacher Take: An Interview-Based Insight from the Balochistan Province of Pakistan

Abstract: Provinces in Pakistan have initiated teaching English as a compulsory subject in Grade 1 onwards in their government schools by following the latest National Education Policy (NEP) of 2009. The policy states that the measure shall develop the students’ English proficiency that would later help them compete. In this study we intended to understand whether the policy was implemented successfully in the province of Balochistan. By drawing upon the language planning framework proposed by Kaplan, Baldauf, and Kamwangamalu (2011) and applying convenient sampling technique, the researchers conducted thirty-one semi-structured interviews with urban and rural male and female teachers who teach in Grades 1 to 5. We found that issues such as limited teaching time for the English subject, lack of qualified teachers, inappropriate English textbooks, teachers’ customary teaching methodology, paucity of resources, and gap between policymakers and practitioners impacted the policy. The study offers recommendations that could help the Pakistani policymakers to align the policy with practice, research, and the teachers’ voices in order to achieve the desired outcomes.

A Co/Autoethnography of Peer Support and PhDs: Being, Doing, and Sharing in Academia

Abstract: As doctoral students, we were well aware of the social, cultural, and economic isolation experienced by many students working towards a PhD. In this paper, we provide an account of an informal peer support model that assisted us to successfully complete our PhDs. We used co/autoethnography to write into each other’s story, seeking to improve our research practice through creative reflection. Data included over 215 emails generated through our “weekly check-ins” during our PhDs, for a period of over 18 months. Following the iterative nature of co/autoethnography, we generated further data through collaborative analysis and reflexive, creative writing. Analysis involved each of us conducting inductive analysis of the data separately, followed by a collaborative process of checking and co-identifying themes, and collaborative writing of the co/ autoethnography. We identified three major themes in the data: Being an Academic, Doing Academia, and Sharing in Academia. We continue to transform through the co/autoethnography and lay bare our experience of peer support for the purpose of supporting others undertaking a PhD, including ways to approach writing (or support writing), and ways to navigate the corporate university setting.

Workplace Ostracism and Employee Reactions among University Teachers in Pakistan

Abstract: This study investigated the positive and negative behavioral outcomes resulting from the pragmatic and psychological impacts of workplace ostracism experienced by university teachers in Pakistan. Using a qualitative and phenomenological approach, the data were gathered from 20 ostracized teachers working in public and private sector higher educational institutions in Pakistan. The results revealed that participants faced both the psychological and pragmatic impacts of workplace ostracism. Most of the ostracized teachers indicated positive behavioral outcomes due to being collectivist and placing a high value on social relations. Ostracized teachers used resource investment strategies by improving in-role and extra-role performance that reflect their re-inclusion expectations and less chronic prevalence of workplace ostracism. But participants showed their intention to engage in negative behaviors such as withdrawal, decreased performance, and resignation if they constantly face ostracism in future. The results of this study can be used by the university administration to develop an inclusive and non-discriminatory culture and policies to minimize the occurrence of workplace ostracism.