Effectively Communicating Qualitative Research

Abstract

This article is a guide for counseling researchers wishing to communicate the methods and results of their qualitative research to varied audiences. The authors posit that the first step in effectively communicating qualitative research is the development of strong qualitative research skills. To this end, the authors review a process model for developing such competence and emphasize the importance of research paradigm and philosophy-of-science knowledge for the competent researcher. The authors present characteristics of strong qualitative writing and highlight the concept of “thick description.” The article includes a recommended structure for presenting the qualitative study and provides suggestions for targeting writing for different audiences. The authors conclude with suggestions for graduate students considering conducting qualitative dissertations.