Being and becoming a “good” qualitative researcher? Liminality and the risk of limbo
Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management
ISSN: 1746-5648
Article publication date: 22 November 2018
Issue publication date: 28 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to re-conceptualise “good” qualitative research by discussing the intersection between “good” qualitative research and different identity states of “good” qualitative researcher. It uses the anthropological concept of liminality and related concept of limbo to help illustrate the implications of this intersection.
Design/methodology/approach
A reflexive and personal confessional account is provided of the author’s “living in” the liminal transition of the identity states from full-time PhD student to full-time early career researcher, questioning the author’s experiences in relation to others and the implications for the social construction of “good” qualitative research.
Findings
“Good” qualitative research is not just what to do but how to be. “PhD student” is a defined and temporary transitional liminal identity state. It has a clear point of separation (acceptance and registration of student status) and aggregation (“good” qualitative research signed of through thesis and viva). Contrasting with this is the “early career researcher” identity state, any point of aggregation towards “established researcher” is predicated on the unpredictability of publication and delivering impact indicators.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates unsettling and in-betweenness of “good” qualitative research intersecting with the experience and composition of being a “good” qualitative researcher in the academy. It is important for debates regarding the qualities of academic development from PhD student to established researcher.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author is grateful for the time spent by the editors and two anonymous reviewers; their extensive and thought-provoking comments were constructive and invaluable in helping the author to improve the paper.
Citation
Pagan, V. (2019), "Being and becoming a “good” qualitative researcher? Liminality and the risk of limbo", Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 75-90. https://doi.org/10.1108/QROM-04-2017-1523
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited