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Theorizing from qualitative research in public administration : plurality through a combination of rigor and richness

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Ashworth, Rachel, McDermott, Aoife and Currie, Graeme (2019) Theorizing from qualitative research in public administration : plurality through a combination of rigor and richness. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 29 (2). pp. 318-333. doi:10.1093/jopart/muy057

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muy057

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Abstract

Scholars emphasize the need for additional rigor in qualitative research. This inadvertently encourages formulaic and standardized approaches that undermine the benefits of theorizing from rich data. Our study extends debate by emphasizing the importance of sound qualitative public administration research that blends rigor with richness and thereby facilitates effective theorization. Evidence from a narrative review of 31 qualitative studies published within six leading public administration journals demonstrates that effective theorizing is linked to transparency in research design, analytic approach, and theoretical contribution. In-depth interrogation of four studies that illustrate “inductive theorizing” and “abductive theorizing” identifies plurality in the balance struck between rigor and richness. We derive a broad set of principles that enable researchers to make a convincing “conceptual leap” between data, analysis, and contribution. We also emphasize the need to accommodate pluralistic approaches to theorizing by nuancing requirements for essential aspects of qualitative reporting, versus those amenable to variation.

Item Type: Journal Article
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISSN: 1053-1858
Official Date: April 2019
Dates:
DateEvent
April 2019Published
11 October 2018Available
19 July 2018Accepted
Volume: 29
Number: 2
Page Range: pp. 318-333
DOI: 10.1093/jopart/muy057
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Publisher Statement: This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory following peer review. The version of record Rachel Elizabeth Ashworth, Aoife Mary McDermott, Graeme Currie; Theorizing from Qualitative Research in Public Administration: Plurality through a Combination of Rigor and Richness, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, , muy057, https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muy057 is available online at:https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muy057
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
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