QRCA Views Fall 2024

Synthetic data is moving from buzzword to practical helper for qual. This article demystifies what it is (and isn’t), distinguishes spreadsheet-style synthetic datasets from narrative synthetic personas, and shows when to use each—screeners, guide tests, privacy-safe storytelling, and bridging gaps between qual/quant—without replacing live human voices. You’ll get starter use cases, guardrails (seed quality, labeling, sanity checks), a beginner’s playbook, and hybrid workflows so synthetic data lightens the load while real conversations do the delicate listening. […]

Author Alison Wood Brooks describes why the art of conversation is difficult for so many of us. Whether you’re a skilled moderator or a student seeking your first job, conversing is difficult. Learn about Brooks’ ‘TALK’ strategy: topic choosing, asking more/better questions, levity when understanding someone’s story, and kindness—which will inspire your future conversations. […]

Semiotics highlights the vitality of objects as active contributors, challenging conventional views that prioritize individual decision-making. Author Sónia Marques advocates for recognizing the agency of things and emphasizes the need to observe their role in situ, urging researchers to adeptly engage with the language of objects for a comprehensive understanding of human behavior. […]