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 December 2020. 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
Iyanuoluwa Emmanuel Olalowo
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 1-13
ABSTRACT
Children are brought up in diverse yet specific physical and social environments formally regarded as preschool centres; they are engaged from preschool age in activities where their development is affected by an array of social factors. Some of these factors are natural while some are measures of external circumstances, which if neglected may endanger proper child care, learning and development at the early years. As the child’s age stands as one of such natural factors that can’t be tampered with, literatures from Nigeria researches mostly give account of it from either an underage or age appropriate perspective, little is known or revealed on the state of overage children in preschools. With developmentally appropriate practices in mind, this study therefore investigated the experiences of overage children in preschool centres with respect to the suitability of their physical environment, peer interaction as well as the kind of interaction between these children and their teachers. In answering the research question, a qualitative research design was staged. The qualitative data collection adopted a phenomenological approach where experiences of respondents and other features were examined qualitatively. Twelve (12) overage pupils from 6 preschool centres in Ibadan were interviewed through conversational key informant interview. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and were presented alongside field notes from research assistants using a thematic analysis. Findings had it that children in rural setting were of the view that their teachers do not interact with them so well, urban pre-primary schools children claimed that their teachers played with them as most of them also have nick names given to them by their teachers. Caregivers as well as preschool administrators should therefore ensure that provisions and daily activities within the school system is geared towards the development of the whole child such that no child is left behind regardless educational dilatory experience.
Keywords: Overage Preschool Children, Peer Interaction, Physical Ambience, Preschool, Teacher-child Interaction.
Research Article
Dao Nguyen
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 14-44
ABSTRACT
This paper sheds light on academic leadership pathways and practices of Asian American women (AAW) in higher education in the United States (U.S.) under intersectionality of social and institutional identities/elements. The preliminary intersection model of these identities/elements is the ultimate outcome of the paper. The paper is crystalized from an empirical study founded on intersectionality concept and leadership theories in general, and on established knowledge base of AAW and leadership in particular. The multiple case study method (MCSM) and success case method (SCM) were employed in combination to examine four AAW cases, which were purposively selected from four 4-year-universities in California and Pennsylvania. The data source primarily came from in-depth semi-structured interviews. The data analysis on NVivo 12 revealed that AAW’s leadership pathways and practices were influenced and shaped by social identities of individuals (gender, race/ethnicity, class, and culture), and institutional cultures (tangible and intangible). Religion and female role models in family, graduate study, and workplace were found as additive elements impacting AAW’s leadership experiences. These multiple identities and elements intersected with each other in different ways to feature lived experiences of AAW in academic leadership. The study responded to recent calls for applying incorporation approach of leadership and diversity in research on leadership. It also supported the existing literature on leadership pipelines and experiences of AAW in the academy. The research was among few qualitative studies in the AAW leadership scholarship using the NVivo program in data management, analysis, and presentation. The preliminary intersection model of social and institutional identities/elements influencing and shaping AAW’s leadership in the academy could imply direction for further study on AAW and leadership not only in academe but also in other areas.
Keywords: Asian American Women, Leadership Labyrinth, Multiple Success Case Study, Preliminary Intersection Model of Social and Institutional Identities/Elements.
Research Article
Amber Garbe, Uzeyir Ogurlu, Nikki Logan, Perry Cook
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 45-65
ABSTRACT
In the spring of 2020, schools across the globe closed their doors to decrease the spread of the viral outbreak during the COVID -19 pandemic. This physical closure led to a rapid shift to remote learning which placed more responsibility for learning on parents and guardians. As one of the major stakeholders in the education process, experiences of parents with their children during remote learning are worth examining to inform future policy decision making. This study aimed to investigate parents’ experiences and struggles during school closure using an online survey. The results indicate parents agreed with the school closure policy and were generally satisfied with the level of support provided by school districts whilst describing some areas of struggle. Parents described having difficulties with balancing responsibilities, learner motivation, accessibility, and learning outcomes. The results of the study suggest some important implications and recommendations for educators and policymakers.
Keywords: COVID-19, remote learning, pandemic, parents
Research Article
Rebecca Petersen
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 66-82
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to highlight the women presidents of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) within the past decade, and as such, builds upon an earlier peer-reviewed article in 2006 that profiled the first five female presidents of the ASC. Since 2014, six of the last seven ASC presidents have been women: Joanne Belknap, Candace Kruttschnitt, Ruth D. Peterson, Karen Heimer, Meda Chesney-Lind and Sally S. Simpson. Specifically, this article examines how being a woman president has helped represent and shape the discipline of criminology and the ASC. Through a qualitative analysis, it provides further insight into factors contributing to their leadership success and challenges faced within academia and criminology from a female perspective, particularly noting the role of mentoring/networking, being female in a criminology discipline, work-life balance issues, and perspectives of being a female president in a historically male-dominated discipline. This article addresses how the representation of these women presidents has continued to raise the glass ceiling in a historically male-dominated academic discipline and the message it sends to those within the criminology discipline that is, women criminologists have and can continue to achieve success and overcome gender barriers.
Keywords: American Society of Criminology, Female Criminologists, Qualitative Analysis, Women Criminologists.
Research Article
Aysun Dogutas
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 83-91
ABSTRACT
Culture is essential because culture is the root of society. Thus, transferring the culture to the new generations is important. This study aims to find out how effective families and schools are with enculturation in Turkey. The primary objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of families and schools on enculturation; other aims of the study were to determine 1) the effectiveness of enculturation on secondary school students in Turkey, and 2) the knowledge and perception of students on cultural objects. This study used semi-structured interviews to acquire data. According to the semi-structured interviews, eight main themes emerged. These themes were as follows; cultural elements, holiday visits, handicrafts, cultural trips with teachers, cultural trips with family, an analogy of enculturation, the importance of culture, and presentation of cultural elements to tourists.
Keywords: Culture, Enculturation, Social Sciences Course, Society, Turkey.
Research Article
Kate Guthrie
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 92-110
ABSTRACT
Qualitative inquiry with adolescents is challenging, especially in the field of educational research in which adults are often the gatekeepers of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ answers. To help diminish power dynamics, group interviews are a common method for inquiry. However, the intense desire to fit in with a group of peers and the risks associated with confidentiality can influence how adolescents respond. In this article, I summarize common obstacles to group interviews with adolescents followed by strategies qualitative researchers can employ to foster richer meaning making among adolescent participants to help create a space suitable for discussion of personal or sensitive topics and capture the rich, shared meaning making that can happen as a result of the group’s social interaction in the group interview. I conclude with implications for researchers and teachers of qualitative research methods
Keywords: Educational Research, Group Cohesion, Interview Activities, Interviewing Adolescents, Teaching Qualitative Research.
Research Article
Douglas Kelley
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 111-130
ABSTRACT
This autoethnographic exploration examines my seven-month experience wearing a mask after a stem cell transplant, October, 2019. The telling of my story includes the cancer-based context in which I began to wear a mask and a concentration on the interactions, behaviors, and happenings that occurred to me while mask-wearing. Although I make note of experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, most of the happenings from which I draw occurred pre-COVID. The focus of my reflections throughout the essay is given to identity de/reconstruction through the emotional experience that has in many ways defined my mask-wearing journey. Central ideas that are encountered throughout my story are victim/patient syndrome, isolation, dehumanization, disability bias, monitoring fatigue, sanctuary, and intimacy.
Keywords: Cancer, COVID, Dehumanization, Identity, Isolation, Masks.
Research Article
Shoba Nayar, Valerie Wright St.Clair
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 131-145
ABSTRACT
Increasingly researchers are interested in the nexus of older adults, migration and health. Grounded theory is an ideal methodology to use in qualitative studies seeking to better understand the processes surrounding immigrants’ resettlement and how they maintain their wellbeing. To date, grounded theory methods have been employed in New Zealand research with older Asian immigrants; however, such research has only involved one ethnic group per study. Internationally, there is a dearth of research using grounded theory methods with participants from multiple ethnic communities. This paper describes the steps undertaken in developing a cross cultural grounded theory study of Chinese, Indian, and Korean senior immigrants’ contribution to New Zealand society. The challenges, learnings, and benefits of undertaking such research are explored and recommendations put forth for developing the use of a grounded theory methodology in cross cultural studies.
Keywords: Community participation, Cross cultural research, Immigrants, Grounded Theory, Older adults.
Research Article
Shahid Rasool, Jingshun Zhang
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 146-160
ABSTRACT
Bangladeshis, Indians, and Pakistanis (BIP) are among the highest educational and financial achievers in the United States with unique cultural and behavioral patterns. Despite the significant signs of economic and educational achievement, BIP individuals have remained an understudied population. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences and perceptions of BIP parents via semi-structured interviews to explore key factors to parental involvement behaviors in children’s academic achievement. The data collection process included semi-structured interviews, observations, and field notes, in order to compose a rich narrative description from the findings and the researchers’ interpretations of the phenomenon. The data were incorporated into the thick, rich descriptions of the perceptions and experiences of the participants. After coding and using thematic analysis, three themes emerged: parents’ behavioral trends, parents’ role and family’s cultural values. The implications will help stakeholders and policy makers to select or develop family-school programs that further encourage this group to be involved in their children’s education.
Keywords: Parental Involvement, BIP Immigrants, Children’s Academic Achievement, Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler’s Model, Qualitative Method
Research Article
Claire Ramsey, Allison Ricket
AM J QUALITATIVE RES, Volume 4, Issue 3, pp. 161-178
ABSTRACT
Emerging educational administration leaders must navigate pre-established terrain to affect transformational change. However, an educational organization’s pre-existing, bureaucratic climate, culture, and structure can create obstacles for emerging leaders in rural Appalachian school systems. This issue is further complicated for emerging female leaders in rural areas. Therefore, it is important to understand how emerging educational leaders negotiate and create meaningful change in an already established system where leaders in power have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. Through their own, co-constructed, autoethnographic experiences Claire and Allison explore the research questions: To what extent did an existing community-oriented group embody Block’s (2018) Community: The Structure of Belonging concepts and methodologies? Where are opportunities for transformation within the pre-existing structure of the BAC? The process of understanding these research questions presented Claire and Allison with an opportunity to foster the transformative growth of their educational leadership identities. This qualitative approach encourages Claire and Allison to explore the intersectionalities of their roles within their school-community. The findings yield three prevailing themes: physical space reveals paradigm, inheritance of leadership, and “authentic” community engagement. This study aims to be informative for educational administration leaders, policy makers, and BAC stakeholders who desire to understand that Claire and Allison’s experiences, though not generalizable, have transferable qualities and assist in understanding similar situations which occur in public, educational organizations.
Keywords: “Authentic” Community Engagement, Co-Constructed Autoethnography, Educational Administration, Leadership Inheritance.