Document Type : علمی - پژوهشی
Authors
1
Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Farabi Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
PhD in Planning Higher Education Development, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
3
Ph.D. in Educational Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
4
Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: In today's complex and ever-changing world, the necessity to rethink research methods and the production of knowledge is more pressing than ever. Consequently, there is a need to innovate qualitative research approaches to address new challenges and generate fresh insights that yield different outcomes. Post-qualitative research highlights the importance of evolving methods that resist fixed classifications, thereby redefining the landscape of qualitative inquiry. This approach specifically addresses the limitations of traditional qualitative methods and fosters a space for critical and creative thinking. It not only delves deeper into social and cultural phenomena but also seeks to transcend the confines of existing research methodologies, moving toward a multidimensional and dynamic understanding of realities. While post-qualitative research opens up innovative pathways for inquiry, it also faces criticisms regarding its practical applicability and the potential for methodological chaos, raising important questions about balancing creativity with rigor in research endeavors. Thus, post-qualitative research serves not only as a tool for analyzing phenomena but also as an opportunity to reconsider how knowledge is produced. This study aims to provide insights into post-qualitative research by examining it through a multi-stage design that seeks to deepen understanding of this emerging approach and analyze its implications for research. Given that post-qualitative research remains relatively unexplored in the field of organizational studies, this method will be specifically investigated in the present study.
Method: This study offers a comprehensive and coherent analysis of post-qualitative methodology, providing new insights into this emerging field. The research employed a descriptive and analytical approach, designed in several stages to facilitate a deeper understanding of this novel methodology. Initially, the study conducted a thorough review of key concepts and definitions related to post-qualitative research. To achieve this, it utilized reliable sources, scientific articles, and foundational texts in the field of post-qualitative research. This review not only covered essential concepts but also explored the historical and philosophical origins of post-qualitative inquiry to elucidate its theoretical and practical foundations. The analysis included the impact of various theories on the development of this methodology and identified significant historical turning points. Subsequently, the study provided a detailed examination of the key principles and various aspects of post-qualitative research. This section encompassed an analysis of data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and the challenges and limitations researchers may face when employing this approach. Additionally, a comparative analysis of the paradigms, ontologies, and subject matters of qualitative versus post-qualitative research was presented to highlight the distinctions between the two methodologies. Finally, the discussion and conclusion sections summarized the findings and included a critique of the methodology from the researchers' perspectives.
Results: Despite the attention given to post-qualitative methodology, a clear, precise, and unified definition of post-qualitative research remains elusive. Researchers seldom provide explicit definitions of post-qualitative research because the question of “what” it entails implies a sense of permanence, while the term itself is inherently unstable and open-ended. Furthermore, some argue that post-qualitative research should not be defined at all, as labeling is a limiting, fixed, and closed practice. Instead, post-qualitative research embodies approaches that lack normative structures and clear boundaries. These studies are diverse and can originate at any time and place; however, their inherent uncertainty and vagueness can lead to confusion. In essence, post-qualitative research signifies a substantial shift from traditional qualitative research, emphasizing creativity, experimentation, and a departure from human-centered methods. It is grounded in post-structuralism and post-humanism and focuses on the fluidity of knowledge production rather than adhering to fixed methodologies.
It is important to note that the post-qualitative approach does not entail a complete rejection of qualitative methods; rather, it represents a continuum that draws valuable insights from traditional qualitative research while expanding its focus to include both human and non-human factors. Below are some key characteristics of the post-qualitative research method:
1. Post-Humanist Paradigm: In post-theoretical frameworks, all major epistemological and methodological concepts are deconstructed.
2. Flat Ontology: In flat (post-qualitative) ontology, subjects, objects, and language are always intertwined; humans do not exist separately but emerge in relation to one another.
3. Purpose: The aim of post-qualitative research is to reduce epistemic violence by embracing epistemologies that challenge preconceived notions of culture.
4. Subject: Post-qualitative research emphasizes identifying the structures and discourses that shape individuals' expressions, as human subjects are produced within these structures, often resulting in voices that merely echo the prevailing framework.
5. Initiation: Unlike traditional qualitative research, which is driven by methodology, post-qualitative research is guided by theory. This implies that there is no distinct, pre-existing problem or external starting point.
6. Data Collection: In post-qualitative research, the researcher does not have a predetermined existence before conducting the study; instead, they actively engage with what they are studying.
7. Analysis: Data interpretation and analysis in post-qualitative research do not rely on coding or reducing data to themes; such approaches are considered overly simplistic and may hinder rich, multi-layered encounters with data.
8. Literature: Traditional literature has no designated role in post-qualitative research.
Limitations: Since post-qualitative research arises from thought processes, the limitations of thinking are themselves unthinkable. Once a researcher acknowledges a particular limitation, it becomes integrated into the research and ceases to be a limitation in the traditional sense.
Discussion and Conclusions: A reflection on post-qualitative research indicates that this approach facilitates a more nuanced and multidimensional analysis of realities, fostering the creation of new and meaningful knowledge. In light of the increasing complexity of societies and the necessity for a deeper understanding of social phenomena, post-qualitative methodology has emerged as an effective tool for re-evaluating traditional concepts and methods in qualitative research. This approach not only enhances the depth and breadth of reality analysis but also supports the generation of innovative insights. One of the defining characteristics of post-qualitative methodology is its emphasis on uncertainty and ambiguity throughout the research process. This perspective encourages researchers to transcend normative frameworks and rigid boundaries, allowing for the examination of phenomena from diverse angles. Post-qualitative methodology serves as a reminder that knowledge is a collective endeavor shaped by various social, cultural, and historical contexts. This is particularly significant in organizational and social studies, where it can aid in better understanding the intricate relationships between humans and their environments. However, the adoption and implementation of post-qualitative methodology are not without challenges. One notable challenge is the sense of uncertainty and confusion arising from the absence of clear normative structures. Researchers must confront these challenges and develop strategies to navigate ambiguities in order to fully leverage the advantages of this approach. Given the wide array of methods and perspectives available within this field, it is anticipated that researchers will achieve deeper and more comprehensive analyses of human phenomena through the application of post-qualitative methodologies. Thus, engaging with post-qualitative methodology is not only essential but also has the potential to cultivate a new discourse that enhances our understanding of complex human realities.
Conflict of Interest: There was no conflict of interest.
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