2023 Volume 45 Issue 1 Pages 42-47
In this project, we have collected examples of excellent qualitative research in higher education and examined methods for exploring its nature, with the aim of establishing informed qualitative research methods in university education. In addition, considering that there should be various approaches and methods depending on the academic subject and the purpose of the research, we have also made an effort to disseminate varied qualitative research methods to meet the needs of our members in the Japan Association for College and University Education collaboration. This paper summarizes the results of our activities, addresses any issues, and based on these results, reexamines the significance and potential of qualitative research methods in higher education.
The account of the research to date can be summarized in three steps: (1) a literature review, (2) qualitative research, and (3) dissemination of qualitative research methods. The potential of qualitative research was assessed based on the findings of each of the above steps. In the literature review, we pointed out that an important issue in higher education research, which respects the nature of all parties involved, is to examine epistemological issues in anticipation of future developments in qualitative research. Through this survey, we reconsidered the results of this qualitative research from the perspectives of internal validity, “reliability,” and external validity, and discussed the importance of qualitative research with a new multidimensional approach and a new focus on process. Finally, the results and issues related to the dissemination of qualitative research methods were discussed in terms of their implications for community building based on mutual aid.
