Interpretive Research Design

Joachim Walther co-directs the ProQual Institute for Interpretive Research Methods on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, where he leads international training programs in interpretive research design. He was previously a Professor of Engineering Education at the University of Georgia, USA.Nicola W. Sochacka co-directs the ProQual Institute for Interpretive Research Methods on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. With more than two decades of experience in interpretive research, she works internationally as a research consultant specializing in educational projects.

"A stellar achievement, this book presents a well-grounded and articulate integrative framework that reimagines interpretive research through the lens of design. It offers STEM education and allied fields an empowering, practice-oriented roadmap for conducting high quality, relevant, and transformative qualitative inquiry."— Karl A. Smith, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota and Purdue University, USA."This book beautifully elevates accessible approaches to interpretive research design through a ‘designerly’ lens. Rather than following a recipe or checking boxes, these authors encourage crafting focused and thoughtful research through flexible, creative, and empowering practices. A refreshing and necessary read."— Kelly Guyotte, Associate Professor of Qualitative Research, University of Alabama, USA."An invaluable resource, this book supports researchers—aspiring and experienced alike—who are navigating the complexities of social systems research across disciplines, and in the innumerable new spaces created when disciplines intersect. Grounded in methodological sophistication, keen relational attunement, and written with remarkable insight, it offers a design-based approach to interpretive research that generates novel possibilities for inquiry across education, health, sustainability, and the social sciences."— Shari Miller, Dean of the School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University, USA.

• Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Using Pictorial Systems Maps to Guide Research in Complex Social SystemsChapter 3: Defining the “Scope” of the Social Reality Under Investigation (SRUI)Chapter 4: Using Theory to Define the “Nature” of the Social Reality Under Investigation (SRUI)Chapter 5: Embedding Research Quality in the Study DesignChapter 6: Selecting Data Gathering Methods to “See” the SRUIChapter 7: Selecting a Methodology as a Way of Tracing Patterns Through Our SRUIChapter 8: Crafting Research Questions to Encapsulate the Design Choices that Define Our StudyChapter 9: Data Analysis to Systematically Identify Patterns in Our DataChapter 10: Research Quality in Handling DataChapter 11: Embodying a Design Approach in Our Research Practice