International Journal of Qualitative Methods

Scope & Guideline

Elevating qualitative research to new heights of excellence.

Introduction

Welcome to the International Journal of Qualitative Methods information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of International Journal of Qualitative Methods, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1609-4069
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Support Open AccessYes
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2012 to 2024
AbbreviationINT J QUAL METH / Int. J. Qual. Meth.
Frequency1 issue/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320

Aims and Scopes

The International Journal of Qualitative Methods focuses on the advancement of qualitative research methodologies across various disciplines. It aims to provide a platform for innovative and rigorous qualitative research that addresses contemporary issues in society, health, education, and beyond.
  1. Innovative Qualitative Methodologies:
    The journal prioritizes the publication of studies that introduce new qualitative methods or adapt existing methodologies to enhance research validity and reliability.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    It encourages interdisciplinary research that integrates qualitative methods with other research paradigms to address complex social issues.
  3. Community-Based Participatory Research:
    The journal emphasizes research that involves community engagement and participatory approaches, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and valued.
  4. Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research:
    A strong focus on ethical practices in qualitative research, particularly when working with vulnerable populations, ensuring that ethical dilemmas are carefully navigated.
  5. Reflexivity and Positionality:
    Promoting reflexivity among researchers regarding their positionality, biases, and the impact of their identities on the research process and outcomes.
  6. Arts-Based Research Approaches:
    The integration of arts-based methods in qualitative research to enrich data collection and analysis, allowing for deeper exploration of participants' experiences.
The journal reflects a dynamic landscape of qualitative research, with emerging themes that are gaining traction and relevance in contemporary discussions.
  1. Digital and Virtual Research Methods:
    The use of digital tools and online platforms for conducting qualitative research has surged, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to innovative methods such as virtual focus groups and online interviews.
  2. Intersectionality and Diversity:
    A growing emphasis on intersectionality in qualitative research, exploring how overlapping social identities impact experiences and outcomes, particularly in marginalized communities.
  3. Participatory and Collaborative Research:
    There is an increasing focus on participatory and collaborative methodologies that actively involve participants in the research process, fostering co-creation of knowledge.
  4. Health Equity and Social Justice:
    Research addressing health disparities and social justice issues is trending, with qualitative studies aiming to understand and advocate for equitable health outcomes.
  5. Arts-Based and Creative Methods:
    The integration of arts-based approaches in qualitative research is becoming more prominent, allowing for rich, nuanced data collection and analysis that captures participants' lived experiences.
  6. Methodological Innovations:
    Emerging methodologies that challenge traditional paradigms, such as narrative inquiry, autoethnography, and visual ethnography, are gaining recognition for their unique contributions to qualitative research.

Declining or Waning

While the journal continues to evolve, certain themes that were once prominent appear to be gradually declining in frequency or focus within recent publications.
  1. Traditional Qualitative Methods:
    There is a noticeable shift away from conventional qualitative methods such as basic interviews and focus groups, as researchers explore more innovative and participatory approaches.
  2. Generalized Qualitative Frameworks:
    The emphasis on broad qualitative frameworks without specific contextual application is diminishing, with a growing preference for context-specific methodologies.
  3. Descriptive Qualitative Studies:
    Studies that primarily focus on descriptive qualitative analysis without critical engagement or theoretical framing are becoming less common in favor of more analytical and reflexive approaches.
  4. Single-Method Studies:
    There is a trend towards mixed-methods approaches where qualitative research is increasingly combined with quantitative methods, leading to a decline in purely qualitative studies.

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