Welcome to the First Edition of "The Qualitative Inquisition" Newsletter!
Exploring qualitative methods and building community with other qualitative researchers.
“This is the true athlete – the person in rigorous training against false impressions. Remain firm, you who suffer, don’t be kidnapped by your impressions! The struggle is great, the task divine – to gain mastery, freedom, happiness, and tranquility.” – Epictetus, Discourses
ATTN qualitative Inquisitor:
I hope you are having a productive new year!
Well, I am finally starting my first Academic newsletter on Substack.
My name is Dr. Elsa and I am the founder of this newsletter.
I am excited to welcome you to the inaugural edition of The Qualitative Inquisition (QI), a newsletter dedicated to exploring the philosophical and transformative power of qualitative social science research methods!
You may be a seasoned researcher, a student, or simply intrigued by the promising contributions from qualitative inquiry. Regardless of your field or subject area, this newsletter is designed to inform, inspire, and engage the curious mind.
About The Qualitative Inquisition
Our mission is to dive deep into qualitative research methods, uncovering various techniques, strategies, and best practices, and at the same time, fostering a vibrant community passionate about qualitative inquiry.
Through informative articles, practical tips for conducting research, invigorating discussions, we aim to equip and empower the qualitative Inquisitors (qI) to navigate the complexities and layers within qualitative research with confidence and enthusiasm.
I hope this could be one avenue to help build a community of researchers, students, and scholars who appreciate the value of storytelling through qualitative methods, the many possibilities with qualitative and mixed methods research, and as a diverse and inclusive community.
What to Expect
Twice a month (initially, and eventually on a weekly basis), The Qualitative Inquisition (QI) will:
Ignite exploration of diverse qualitative research methodologies, including fieldwork, field interviews, focus groups, ethnography, content and archival analysis, qualitative coding, and more.
Provide practical tips and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting qualitative data.
Highlight critical qualitative research studies and innovative approaches in various fields (with primary focus in the field of international relations and development).
Discuss any ethical considerations, the importance of reflexivity, and rigor in qualitative research.
Share opportunities to connect with fellow qualitative researchers and academics, share experiences, and exchange ideas.
You will like this space if, like me, you want to help contribute to building a sense of camaraderie around qualitative researchers and social scientists, and at all levels.
For instance, students just beginning their ventures into qualitative fieldwork might find this community to be a great introduction to qualitative methods to help make it more approachable. When I began my graduate studies, there was a lot of vital information about qualitative research processes I had to learn the long and hard way. And no matter where you are in your academic or professional career, there is always more to explore!
I hope to help others take consideration of certain things that can make an already daunting and difficult process even more challenging, when there are in fact resources that could streamline and allow for efficient processes. Unfortunately, some universities and programs may not have resources and it is important for scholars to know what is available to support their research endeavors.
I am also excited about sharing my own insights and stories from qualitative expeditions that I have collected over the years and offer some resources and advice along the way. But I would also like this to be an avenue for others to share their experiences and research too.
General Newsletter Structure
Each newsletter will begin with an introduction to a specific subtopic within qualitative methods. It will briefly share a story connected to the topic. This could include examples from research studies (some from my own), or a relevant anecdote. It will then offer some guidance, resources, best practices and tips connected to the specific topic and example discussed.
The newsletter will close with five relevant pieces of news for the week/month, an academic book recommendation, and a personal development book recommendation, a trivia question, and then end with a motivational quote. The news I share will come from reliable, and sometimes independent news outlets.
I will share a quote on the top of each post from the ancient philosophers, especially the Stoic philosophers. I include this because of Gandhi’s philosophy that I have carried with me throughout my higher education: “All your scholarship would be in vain if at the same time, you do not build your character and attain mastery over your thoughts and your actions.” I come from the school of thought that building character as a public servant is part and parcel to our academic work in the social sciences. This is why I recommend books for personal and professional development as well.
This newsletter will certainly evolve over time. I do not intend to reinvent the wheel, just contribute some insights from my lens in the effort to build bridges and greater understanding. As the newsletter grows, I plan to add a resources section to supplement the newsletter, and eventually be in a position to open it up for guest blog posts.
I may share links to a few articles I publish on other platforms, including Medium, as it relates to qualitative research.
Why Join?
Like you, I value relationship-building, and a collaborative learning environment. I value community. I have a great passion for qualitative research and network science and would love to connect to others who feel the same!
The long-term relationships, trust, and community building is crucial for thriving in the classroom. This isn’t always available in the traditional, conventional classroom.
While this newsletter is specifically for qualitative researchers, it is meant to also be an avenue for scholars and practitioners to build community outside your disciplines, and to support interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ultimately, success in any endeavor, in any program, is difficult without a support network, mentors, and certain systems in place. And when something needs nurturing, you build it. You build it for yourself, and you build it for others in the process.
I encourage you to subscribe for free initially.
Should you believe in the mission, now or in the future, monthly subscribers will have several benefits. These benefits will include access to more resources, posts, future courses and materials, and one 1-hour consultation with the QI Founder (me!) every month, discussing your qualitative research project designs, travels, academic storytelling, fieldwork adventures, tools and various methods and techniques, and any other support I can offer relevant to my specializations.
Get Involved
The Qualitative Inquisition is not just a newsletter— just like others on Substack, it's intended to create an engaged community.
You are encouraged to share your thoughts, questions, feedback and insights in the comments sections or chat threads.
Whether you have a topic you'd like to see covered, a research experience to share, or simply want to connect with fellow qualitative researchers, your input and participation is most welcome and encouraged!
Subscribe and Stay Connected
Don't miss out on The Qualitative Inquisition!
Please consider subscribing to receive regular updates directly in your inbox. And please feel free to spread the word to colleagues, classmates, and anyone else who shares your passion for qualitative research methods!
You can learn more about the Newsletter here:
About - The Qualitative Inquisition
To learn more about me, please feel free to visit my website here:
I look forward to building this space with you, connecting to other writers, researchers, scientists and communities on Substack, as we work together to advance our comprehension of qualitative social science research methods.
Since my doctoral studies ended, I’ve been yearning to continue “the qualitative inquisition.” As I continue exploring more, I have realized a need to relearn “how to learn.” And a great way to teach oneself is to teach others in the process.
Thank you for joining me on this new adventure.
I look forward to unlocking the “The Qualitative Inquisition (QI)” with you!
In Solidarity,
Your fellow qualitative Inquisitor (qI)
Dr. Elsa
Top News Roundup on International Security and Development
The International Criminal Court Hearings on Israel’s Occupation of Gaza
Sudan Genocide: A Forgotten Crisis
Afghanistan: UN Doha Conference Failed to Achieve Objectives
Pakistan: Post-Election Analysis
Ukraine: Two Years of Conflict
Qualitative Methods Book Recommendation
The Professional Stranger, By Michael H. Agar
A classic book that explores the fundamentals of ethnography and cultural immersion, navigating challenging environments.
Personal/Professional Development Book Recommendation
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday
A message from a Stoic Philosopher every day of the year. You can also join Ryan Holiday’s amazing newsletter as well and follow him on his YouTube Channel. I take some insights from his work from time to time.
TRIVIA
The first email was sent in the year this country achieved Independence.
What year was it, and which country achieved independence that year?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Do not wait for leaders. Do it yourself, person to person.” – Mother Theresa
Hope you had a strong start to the new year! See you in the next issue!