WCQR2024 Demo Sessions | Johannesburg
Grzegorz Bryda
Jagiellonian University (PL)
Collaborative Work and other digital possibilities in Qualitative Research
The differentiation of contemporary approaches to qualitative data analysis can seem daunting even for experienced social science researchers. Especially when they move in the data analysis process from general analytical strategies used in qualitative research to more specific approaches to different types of qualitative data, including interviews, text, audio, images, videos and so-called virtual data, discovering the domain ontology of the qualitative research field, we see that there are more than twice as many different classes of data analysis methods as qualitative research methods. This demonstration session critically reflects on the Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) process and the development of collaborative work and digital possibilities in qualitative data collection and analysis. Using our own extensive analytical and research project experience, the last research results and a literature review, we try to demonstrate the impact of new technologies and the world of digital possibilities on how we think about it. We also try to do the qualitative data analysis. The essence of this procedure is a dialectical interplay between the new world of digital technology and the classic methodology. The use of digital possibilities in qualitative research practices shapes the researcher’s identity and his analytical and research workshop. Moreover, it teaches collaborative thinking and teamwork and fosters the development of new analytical, digital and Information Technology (IT) skills. It is difficult to imagine contemporary qualitative research and data analysis in the humanities and social sciences. Opening to modern technologies in computer-based qualitative data analysis shapes our interpretation frameworks and changes the optics and perception of research problems.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Dr. King Costa
Global Centre for Academic Research (ZA)
Using Qualitative Evidence Synthesis as a Research Design
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis (QES) is a research design informing guideline development processes. QES is a group of methods used to undertake systematic reviews of qualitative research evidence. The demonstration session aims to show how QES can inform evidence-to-decision frameworks and recommendations, establish an understanding and explanation of the complexity of both interventions and systems, develop implementation considerations, and inform implementation processes. QES can provide a complete database of summary evidence for guideline panels to consider, linked to decisions about values, acceptability, feasibility, and equity. The demonstration session also pretends to discuss and identify areas for further methodological research, including how best to summarize and present qualitative data to groups developing guidelines, how these groups draw on different types of evidence in their decisions, and the extent to which QES is relevant to decision-making processes in fields other than health. This session will locate QES within the broad typology of systematic review methods of inquiry and demonstrate how researchers can apply the most rigorous approaches for data distillation and ultimate conclusion using the COSTA QDA web-based could application.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Prof. Mfanelo P. Ntsobi
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre (ZA)
The role of Science Centers in education
Sci-Bono is the largest Science Centre in the Southern Hemisphere, established in 2004 for promoting STEAM education. South Africa has 35 accredited Science Centres, but their role in promoting equitable access to ISE is under scrutiny compared to formal classroom education. This demonstration aims to showcase the powerful impact that Science Centres can have on STEAM education, enhancing and enriching classroom learning. It serves as a testament to the engaging and interactive learning environments that science centres create, inspire and foster the pursuit of STEAM careers. Extensive research was conducted to gather information on the importance of science centers in promoting STEAM education, as well as to understand the specific initiatives and programs offered by Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. This research helped in identifying key elements and examples to be included in the demo. The narrative for the demo was crafted in a storytelling format to engage the audience and create a cohesive flow. It was designed to take the audience on a journey, starting with an introduction to STEAM education and gradually showcasing the different sections and activities at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. Careful selection of examples and case studies was made to highlight the impact of Sci-Bono Discovery Centre’s programs and initiatives. These examples were chosen to demonstrate the practical application of STEAM education, showcasing real-world projects and success stories. The demo was designed to be interactive, incorporating hands-on activities, demonstrations, and visuals wherever possible. This approach helps to engage the audience, making the demo more immersive and impactful. The demo is a collaborative effort involving input from various stakeholders, including educators, researchers, and experts from Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. This collaborative approach ensures that the demo accurately represents the work being done at the center and effectively communicates its mission and impact. Whis this demo session, it will be demonstrated that through science communication and engagement, students are inspired to pursue Steam subjects. The session will also place science centres prominently in stimulating innovation and scientific inquiry. Science centers have an important role in promoting STEAM education, specifically the case of Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in South Africa.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Arceli Rosario
Adventist University of the Philippines (PH)
Formulating the Research Questions and the Interview Guide for Transcendental Phenomenology
Transcendental phenomenology aims to describe a lived experience as it is experienced freshly and purely (Brinkmann 2018; Moustakas, 1994). The central questions are what it is like for one to experience the phenomenon, what are the contexts of the phenomenon (Moustakas, 1994), and how the participants view themselves in relation to the phenomenon in the future (Seidman, 2006). Among the questions researchers ask when designing a transcendental phenomenology are: (a) How do researchers capture a phenomenological experience? and (b) What questions do researchers ask to generate phenomenological data? This demonstration will focus on answering these questions. There will be exercises on formulating the research questions given different phenomena, followed by formulating the interview guide.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Ajay Gupta
VES Business School (IN)
Interpreting and Presenting Focus Group Data Findings through Software
Focus group data is used in several fields to explore various ideas in a familiar setting to capture issues that interviews and other techniques cannot. The demonstration session shows how researchers can collect, analyse, and report focus-group data on a real project about management faculty perception of qualitative research. Four focus group discussion data were collected. Ethical and privacy protocols were followed. The accuracy of data transcription field notes was verified. The focus group data analysis largely uses inductive coding and multi-level analysis. ATLAS.ti is the CAQDAS (Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software) that will be used to analyse intra- and inter-focus group data and respondent categories. It includes descriptive and interpretive data accounts that demonstrate themes and their relationships. An innovative and evidence-based focus-group data analysis framework will be presented that will benefit researchers across disciplines and contexts. Analysis employs a thematic approach and allows themes to emerge from research questions and objectives. The significance of themes will be discussed based on the C- value and occurrence of quotations for the theme. The demonstration session will present themes using text, networks, and visuals for rigour, validity, and social construct. The interpretation will use narratives, observations and non-verbal clues associated with themes.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Prof. Tankiso Moloi
University of Johannesburg (ZA)
Artificial Intelligence in Social Sciences
Artificial intelligence (AI) in social sciences is becoming more popular, but there is still a lack of consensus on how to approach it. AI and big data techniques are widely applied in several major research areas and various social science fields. However, the anticipated overlap between the Computational Social Sciences specialization and the Social Sciences & AI specialization has not yet materialized. A theoretical framework for risk, housing, and health issues called DRVS, which takes a comprehensive approach to community and environmental health, is modeled using an artificial neural network. Social sciences must look for new theoretical and methodological frameworks to approach AI and ‘artificial sociality’ because research on AI-based technologies thrives primarily outside traditional disciplinary borders. Overall, AI has the potential to contribute to social sciences, but there is still a need for more research and discussion on how to approach it. The demo session aims to discuss theoretical frameworks in which AI can boost the quality of research in the social sciences.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program
Pavel Zubkov
Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (PH)
Mastering the Gold Standard of Qualitative Research: The Art of Conducting In-depth Individual and Group Interviews
Analyzing life is a complex task that involves a process of condensing human experiences into essences (Saldaña & Omasta, 2018). Qualitative in-depth interview is the “gold standard of qualitative research” (Mason, 2002). Interviews are the key to deep understanding of the thoughts, opinions, perceptions, behaviors, experiences, and meanings of the events that have shaped the perspectives of the participants. They can assist in creating new concepts and theories of how people understand the world they live in. This demonstration session will explore and present best practices in conducting in-depth individual and group interviews.
Effective qualitative interviews are well planned. We will discuss the planning phase for such interviews to facilitate the flow of conversation between the researchers and the participants. It will include practical strategies to consider logistics and venue, interview questions, trust and building rapport, culture and power, listening skills, non-verbal data, researchers’ flexibility, researchers’ sensitivity, and exiting the interview.
A productive and meaningful interview builds on good interview questions as well as listening skills on the parts of both the interviewers and the interviewees. Different types of questions will be introduced. A special attention will be given to a probing and follow-up questions.
The results of a good FGD interview depend on the experience and skills of the researcher–moderators. They need to ensure that the discussion is balanced and inclusive, so the topic is thoroughly addressed (Lewis, 2003). The demo session will present the strategies to facilitate a healthy and engaging discussion. The differences of the individual and group interviews, as well as the ethical issues and considerations will be presented.
In-person Session | Check the schedule in the program