Digital qualitative research workflows: a reflexivity framework for technological consequences

ABSTRACT

This paper introduces a framework for reflexively generating a digital research workflow; that is, a qualitative research design that intentionally considers the consequences of using digital tools and spaces in meaningful ways. This framework articulates how considering technological consequences should be, and already are, a part of engaging in methodological reflexivity. While there is vast literature on reflexivity in qualitative research, little has been written about technological reflexivity. We propose four categories of consequences that should be closely considered when adopting digital tools and working within digital spaces in qualitative research designs. To conclude, we illustrate these consequence categories by drawing upon an example of a digital research workflow for transcription that we created in the context of a series of studies into how patient-centered communication skills were demonstrated by learners in the health professions at an American university.

KEYWORDS:

• Digital tools
• qualitative research
• reflexivity
• research workflows
• technological reflexivity
• transcription

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Trena M. Paulus

Trena M. Paulus (she/her) is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at East Tennessee State University and was a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland, in spring 2023. She holds advanced degrees in instructional design and applied linguistics and has over 15 years of experience teaching qualitative research methods both online and on-ground. Her scholarship focuses on the intersection of research methodology and technological innovation. Dr. Paulus is co-author of Doing Qualitative Research in a Digital World (Sage, 2022), Looking for Insight Transformation and Learning in Online Talk (2019, Routledge) and Digital Tools for Qualitative Research (2014, Sage UK). Dr. Paulus is also a certified professional trainer for ATLAS.ti qualitative data analysis software.

Jessica Nina Lester

Jessica Nina Lester (she/her) is a Professor of Qualitative Methodology in Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methodology Program in the Department of Counseling & Educational Psychology in the School of Education at Indiana University, Bloomington. Having been trained in cultural studies and qualitative research methodology, she takes an interdisciplinary approach to her scholarship, including both the methodological and substantive foci of her research program. In her methodological work, Lester focuses on the study of language-based methods, digital tools in qualitative research, and disability in qualitative inquiry. Her substantive research has focused on examining interactional practices in clinical and educational contexts that involve children and youth. Most recently, she co-authored Doing Qualitative Research in a Digital World with Trena Paulus.