American Journal of Qualitative Research (AJQR) welcomes original research articles and book reviews for its next issue. The AJQR is a biannual and peer-reviewed journal published in June and December.
We are seeking submissions for forthcoming issue published in June 2021. The paper should be written in professional English. The length of 7000-10000 words is preferred. All manuscripts should be prepared in MS-Word format, and submitted online: https://www.editorialpark.com/ajqr
Research Article
El Mustapha Imouri
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 1-9
ABSTRACT
In a diverse Moroccan environment where groups, ethnicities, languages, religions, people of color, migrants, refugees, and different identities like LGBTQs coexist, multicultural education as a framework and as a pedagogical approach to diversity has become mandatory. The present study reports about an experience at Mohammed V University in Rabat where a multicultural education course was introduced into the curriculum of the teacher training MA Program. The study investigates the feedback of three cohorts of teachers who benefited from the program. Their responses focus on the influence of multicultural education on their teaching practices in diverse contexts. Three research questions have been used, namely (i) what are the teachers’ attitudes towards the course of multicultural education? (ii) to what extent has the course content influenced their teaching practices in dealing with students from different groups? And (iii) what are their opinions about their pedagogics after taking the course? The study adopts a qualitative approach making use of semi-structured interviews with 18 respondents. The content analysis and data coding process have also classified the themes in relation to the research questions. The findings have disclosed that the course content has to a large extent impacted the teachers’ attitudes and practices towards the different identities of their students. They have also yielded very positive views about multicultural education course. The results have stressed the fact that the program should engage students more in diverse experiences and multicultural activities.
Keywords: Diversity, Multicultural Education, Morocco, Teacher Training.
Research Article
Nugrahenny Zacharias, Galina Shleykina
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 10-21
ABSTRACT
In this article, we present lessons learned through the use of Collaborative Autoethnography (CA), a qualitative research method where two international faculty members use their stories constructed from the year-long participation in a Faculty Learning Community (FLC) at a midwestern university in the US. The FLC aimed at providing a safe shared space where international faculty and graduate students discussed the struggles, challenges, and joys of their ‘international-ness’. The autoethnographic reflection illustrates how participation in a FLC has helped them to mediate their initial worries and dilemma of being international faculty (Galina) and reconceptualize teaching (Henny) in a productive way. Additionally, the study demonstrates how reflecting on one’s experience through autoethnography helps them to draw tangible lessons connecting their participation in FLC to their individual teaching contexts and personal struggle in performing a viable teacher identity. The article ends with pedagogical implications on how future FLCs can be better structured to meet the needs of international faculty.
Keywords: Collaborative Autoethnography, Faculty Learning Community, Teacher Learning, Teacher Professional Development and Learning.
Research Article
Alyssa Sanabria
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 22-35
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this autoethnography is to explore my experience (the researcher) of coping with daily life after my mother’s diagnosis of stage four metastatic breast cancer. Throughout this study, I will explore the experiences of myself and two other individuals whose mothers also have incurable advanced-stage cancer. I would like to know more about my own daily experiences and theirs in regard to how our daily lives have been impacted since the initial diagnosis. I would also like to explore the reality of living with the knowledge of a daunting inevitable loss, without a miracle. Through this study, the following themes emerged from the thick, rich data description: appreciation, fear, and coping skills.
Keywords: Autoethnography, Breast Cancer, Grief, Incurable Cancer, Mother-daughter Relationship, Personal Coping Techniques.
Research Article
Adam Dobrin, Seth Wyatt Fallik, Ross Deuchar, Vaughn J. Crichlow, Sierra Harris
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 36-56
ABSTRACT
This paper explores police perceptions on the causes of crime and the declining legitimacy of the police. Notwithstanding the growing body of research on public perceptions towards police, there is little qualitative research on the police perceptions on their attributions for crime, their declining legitimacy, and the breakdown of justice. It is crucial to increase knowledge on police perceptions towards the public, particularly in the aftermath of violent police-citizen encounters. Given the likelihood that such perceptions will influence the behavior of police officers when interacting with the public, exploring police perspectives regarding crime, their declining legitimacy, and the breakdown of justice is a worthy endeavor. This study, therefore, presents qualitative analysis of data gathered from interviews of 20 local police officers and deputies and participant observations conducted in a Southern American State. The study found that officers blamed community members and dysfunctional social institutions for sustaining environments that foster criminality, a lack of respect for authority, as well as declining police legitimacy. Officers were also frustrated by the role of news and social media as instigators of the constant anger and criticism towards police that make it difficult for them to do their jobs effectively. The implications for police practice and community relations are discussed.
Keywords: Community Relations, Police Legitimacy, Post-Ferguson, Public Perceptions.
Research Article
Aysun Dogutas
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 57-72
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to discover how disabled people are represented in advertisements in Turkey. Ten purposefully chosen TV channels (ATV, FOX, TV8, SHOW TV, KANAL D, STAR TV, TRT 1, KANAL 7, TRT HABER, TRT ÇOCUK) were used in a pilot study to identify ads featuring people with disabilities. Because the results of the pilot study showed no such advertisements, data for the current study were collected from internet. Three types of advertisements featuring people with disabilities emerged: public service announcements, consumption-centered ads, and supportive ads. Critical discourse analysis was applied to the data derived from the latter two types. Results indicate that the media, which play an important role not only in reflecting public attitudes and values regarding disability but also in shaping them, may assist in reducing stigma and misinformation and in increasing social acceptance and inclusion only if the portrayals are positive and comprehensive. Any positive change in attitude along with better programs and laws can accelerate the integration of people with disabilities into society.
Keywords: Advertisement, Disabled, Disability, Television, The Internet.
Research Article
Voltisa Thartori, Nik A. Hisham Ismail
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 5, Issue 2 (In Progress), pp. 73-91
ABSTRACT
Moving to a new country causes significant challenges for immigrants. Various reasons contributed to immigrants' mental well-being, such as language barriers, lack of family and social support, discrimination, and others that affect well-being and quality of life among immigrants in the host country. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of 18 Albanian and Kosovo-Albanian immigrants residing in Malaysia. The objectives of this study are as follows: (i) to investigate perceptions of immigrants toward mental well-being; (ii) to explore coping strategies for mental well-being among immigrants; and (iii) to identify suggestions and recommendations of immigrants residing in Malaysia and Australia. Social Learning Theory (SLT) guided this study. SLT focuses on learning through observation and reflection. Therefore, this theory is suitable for the current study since our thoughts, actions and behaviours are influenced by social and cultural factors. This study employed a qualitative phenomenological case study using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The result showed that mental well-being was perceived as physical, mental and spiritual health; accomplishment and life purposes; and contentedness positively affected the immigrants’ mental well-being. The immigrants resorted to several strategies in coping with mental well-being, such as calmness and having a positive attitude in solving their problems. The findings also recommended immigrants embrace a new culture and adapting their life in their host country.
Keywords: Albanians and Kosovo Albanians, Coping Strategies, Immigrants, Mental Well-being.