Exploring Qualitative Research: Catalyzing Change through Social Insights
By: Aanya Baindur, Bachelor of Commerce, concentration in Marketing
As a dedicated Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (Honours) student with a passion for research, I found Sprott’s Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SUSRE) program fulfilling and enlightening. The project that I assisted with, “Exploring the Learning and Teaching Experiences of Graduate Students from Equity Seeking Groups in Management Education,” identifies and analyzes barriers to success encountered by graduate students at the Sprott School of Business. Its findings will inform future improvements to classroom pedagogy and the overall university experience of graduate students.
In addition to showing me how researchers grow with their projects, my participation in the SUSRE program provided me with a new and nuanced appreciation of qualitative research, from the cultivation of research subjects’ trust to the co-creation of knowledge. In particular, I am grateful for three key take-aways about this research methodology:
1. Qualitative research facilitates the delicate art of studying people
Qualitative research requires meticulous attention to detail and a sincere commitment to representing peoples’ narratives responsibly. I thus began by conducting background research on ethical guidelines, reviewing the comprehensive informed consent process, studying recorded interviews to learn how to build trust, and implementing strict data handling protocols. The entire team cultivated a collaborative atmosphere throughout the project by maintaining ongoing communication with participants and treating them as co-creators of knowledge, rather than as subjects to be studied. Many participants we surveyed come from stigmatized groups, and their (often traumatic) experiences were poignant reminders of researchers’ weighty ethical responsibilities and privilege.
2. Qualitative research creates knowledge from words rather than numbers
While quantitative studies have their place, qualitative research can delve deeply into people’s psyche, capturing the richness and complexity that characterize the human experience. As a SUSRE intern, I developed skill in the subtle art of deriving knowledge from stories and ideas, rather than from raw numerical data. I learned how to conduct literature reviews, co-create knowledge with participants, and pinpoint recurring themes in their narratives. This skill set allowed me to identify and differentiate between causal and correlated factors, as well as dependent and independent variables.
More broadly, my participation in this project shifted my perception of research, reminding me that participants in a study are not just statistics or data points; they are individuals with unique personalities, appearances, and stories that deserve to be heard. It also showed me that research involves discerning the subtle interplay of latent factors that contribute to complex social issues. This insight prompted me to recognize nuanced perspectives and provided me with a foundation to formulate informed social interventions and improvements.
3. Qualitative research is an odyssey: one project leads to another
The experience of delving into qualitative research as a SUSRE intern inspired me to embark on my own research project: “Exploring the Experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ Students at Carleton University through a Lens of Intersectionality and Using GBA+ Framework to Analyze the Impact of University Policies and Initiatives.” Delving into a community shrouded in secrecy and burdened by stigma, my project will identify how 2SLGBTQ+ students at Carleton University experience marginalization and what unique challenges they face.
The SUSRE program’s impact stretches far beyond the confines of the project duration, igniting in me a life-changing interest in qualitative research and problem solving and launching me on a captivating research odyssey of personal and academic growth. With a heart full of optimism and a mind brimming with endless possibilities, I am excited to continue this journey, using the knowledge I gained through this internship in my studies and life.