This year’s developer keynote provided a behind-the-scenes look at the development and production of MAXQDA 2018. Not only is Berlin a world-class destination city for travelers and scholars alike, but it is also home to VERBI Software, the developers of MAXQDA. She also has over 30 years of experience in teaching research methodology as a lecturer as well as the author of several pioneering works on the topic, and has served as president of the American Evaluation Association, founding Board Member of the International Association for Mixed Methods Research and editor of the Journal of Mixed Methods Research. Mertens’ focus on transformative mixed methods inquiry in diverse communities has led her to conduct and consult on evaluations in Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, and many more. Over the course of her long career, Prof. We just need to find the courage to do so. We, as researchers, can orient our work towards constructive action. Mertens’ approach, therefore, focuses on authentic engagement but also shows how such methods can strengthen the credibility of evidence by including cultural perspectives of diverse stakeholders and their experiences, which will ultimately contribute to the changes in our understandings of what is real. Transformative mixed methods not only acknowledge cultural norms and beliefs within a community but also identify diversity and address discrimination in associated power structures. Research methods, such as literature reviews combined with consulting, followed by contextual analyses through focus groups and GIS mapping, for example, allow the researcher to examine the quality of relationships throughout the entire process and capture the complexity of the social and ethical issues facing us today. Each stage integrates coalition-building between the researcher and their research partners, all the way from a study’s design, to how to use the findings for transformative purposes. Mertens outlined a path for transformative mixed methods research. Mertens raised questions such as: How can we use mixed methods to identify cultural norms, beliefs, and dimensions of diversity? How can researchers engage with the community they are doing research WITH? And how can we make different versions of reality visible? Mertens argued that transformative mixed methods research can be a driving force behind this paradigm shift. Merten’s experience in the field has led her to become an advocate of the importance of working WITH the community in which one is conducting research. Mertens, a Professor Emeritus from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, gave an inspiring keynote speech on the importance of mixed methods research in the challenging political, social, and economic climate in which much of our research takes place. While the conference and the accompanying workshops helped deepen the researchers’ understanding and application of MAXQDA in general, trainers and staff also addressed specific methodological questions – both in a classroom setting and in informal one-on-one discussions. Participants were involved in 12 workshops, 30 Spotlight Sessions, 2 keynote addresses, 5 Best Practice Roundtables, and the Poster Session, which featured 19 real-world examples of MAXQDA-based research and teaching. The MQIC 2018 was our most exciting conference yet! 156 participants in 38 disciplines from 80 institutions in 18 countries made it our largest and most diverse event to date. Held in Berlin, Germany, the MQIC brings together qualitative and mixed methods researchers from all over the world and is designed to help you – the researcher, the teacher, the student – improve your understanding of MAXQDA, effectively incorporate MAXQDA into your research design, and develop new approaches for data analysis. The MAXQDA International Conference (MQIC) is the biggest MAXQDA event of the year.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |