Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture
Qualitative scholars are increasingly engaged in global research where members of the research team are from different countries and cultures and have different primary languages. However, in-depth descriptions of how to work as a transnational team successfully and rigorously are scarce. Using a co...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2022-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221101280 |
| _version_ | 1811255595261493248 |
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| author | Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Nipat B. Pichayayothin Panita Suavansri Joanna J. French Poonsub Areekit Chureerat Nilchantuk Torin S. Jones Emily Mam Jessie B. Moore Catherine A. Heaney |
| author_facet | Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Nipat B. Pichayayothin Panita Suavansri Joanna J. French Poonsub Areekit Chureerat Nilchantuk Torin S. Jones Emily Mam Jessie B. Moore Catherine A. Heaney |
| author_sort | Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Qualitative scholars are increasingly engaged in global research where members of the research team are from different countries and cultures and have different primary languages. However, in-depth descriptions of how to work as a transnational team successfully and rigorously are scarce. Using a collaboration between Stanford University in the US and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand as a case example, we present the nuances and challenges experienced in this research collaboration, as well as the strategies employed to optimize the validity and reliability of the study findings. While we started our data analysis following a more typical qualitative analysis path, shortcomings of this approach brought us to explore an alternative, involving data review and coding by transnational coding sub-teams. This approach was better able to illuminate cultural nuances, address coding discrepancies, and bring forward discussions to enhance interpretation and validity of findings. We describe our collaborative and iterative approach, and highlight methodological implications around team composition, language nuances and translation challenges, our coding process involving transnational coding sub-teams, and important considerations for managing team dynamics (e.g., power and hierarchy) and the partnership process and engagement over time. Moreover, we highlight the benefits of integrating insiders and outsiders throughout the research process, from data collection to coding and interpretation. Our process can serve as a model for similar transnational teams seeking ways to fully benefit from cross-cultural research collaborations. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:27:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-60b2de9d09b243a4ae6ec95d3f8c4c0a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1609-4069 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T17:27:27Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| spelling | doaj.art-60b2de9d09b243a4ae6ec95d3f8c4c0a2022-12-22T03:23:16ZengSAGE PublishingInternational Journal of Qualitative Methods1609-40692022-05-012110.1177/16094069221101280Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and CulturePatricia Rodriguez EspinosaNipat B. PichayayothinPanita SuavansriJoanna J. FrenchPoonsub AreekitChureerat NilchantukTorin S. JonesEmily MamJessie B. MooreCatherine A. HeaneyQualitative scholars are increasingly engaged in global research where members of the research team are from different countries and cultures and have different primary languages. However, in-depth descriptions of how to work as a transnational team successfully and rigorously are scarce. Using a collaboration between Stanford University in the US and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand as a case example, we present the nuances and challenges experienced in this research collaboration, as well as the strategies employed to optimize the validity and reliability of the study findings. While we started our data analysis following a more typical qualitative analysis path, shortcomings of this approach brought us to explore an alternative, involving data review and coding by transnational coding sub-teams. This approach was better able to illuminate cultural nuances, address coding discrepancies, and bring forward discussions to enhance interpretation and validity of findings. We describe our collaborative and iterative approach, and highlight methodological implications around team composition, language nuances and translation challenges, our coding process involving transnational coding sub-teams, and important considerations for managing team dynamics (e.g., power and hierarchy) and the partnership process and engagement over time. Moreover, we highlight the benefits of integrating insiders and outsiders throughout the research process, from data collection to coding and interpretation. Our process can serve as a model for similar transnational teams seeking ways to fully benefit from cross-cultural research collaborations.https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221101280 |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa Nipat B. Pichayayothin Panita Suavansri Joanna J. French Poonsub Areekit Chureerat Nilchantuk Torin S. Jones Emily Mam Jessie B. Moore Catherine A. Heaney Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture International Journal of Qualitative Methods |
| title | Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture |
| title_full | Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture |
| title_fullStr | Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture |
| title_full_unstemmed | Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture |
| title_short | Found in Translation: Reflections and Lessons for Qualitative Research Collaborations Across Language and Culture |
| title_sort | found in translation reflections and lessons for qualitative research collaborations across language and culture |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221101280 |
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