QRCA Views Spring 2023

Winter is coming! Yikes, did I just start off this column with a clichéd Game of Thrones reference? Just like winter came for the house of Frey (thank you, Arya Stark), winter has come for me as well. Two years ago, I took over the editor-in-chief position from Jenifer Hartt, which means that this winter’s edition will be my last. It’s time to pass the torch (or snow shovel as the case may be) to someone willing and capable. That someone is (drumroll please) Tamara Kenworthy. This of course means that VIEWS is in great hands.  […]

Well, here we are, a full year since our world (and industry) was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past twelve months, we’ve experienced and witnessed anxiety, fear, outrage—fueled not only by the pandemic but also by social injustice. We must remember that the people we interview every day do not live in a vacuum; they, like us, can’t help but see, hear, and feel all of the flaws of the world that have been placed under a microscope, it seems, in the past year.  […]

Qualitative research has long relied upon verbal responses to discussions/interview questions. This method appeared to work well, until it didn’t. It has become evident that what a research participant’s body language says is just as important, if not more important, than what they verbally say. It is time for qualitative researchers to add formal body language training to their professional toolbox. The good news is there are training and certification options to help you become a Micro Expression Practitioner or Micro Expression Master. […]