Thinking differently: challenges in qualitative research

Abstract

This paper will explore ideas about challenges to qualitative research in recent years. One often hears the phrase ‘cutting edge’ and ‘innovation’ in the qualitative research tradition, and we would like to debate some of these issues. The discussion will focus on the recent challenges that qualitative researchers have faced, and in particular, on possible innovations that are emerging at the growing edge of their endeavours. Several areas of change and challenge can be identified: the integration of art and science; the development of non-traditional forms of dissemination; the collaboration of members from different disciplines the craft of qualitative research. These are emerging trends, each with a challenge for qualitative research, and they make us think about questions that we might ask to take it “out of the doldrums”.