Abductive analysis in qualitative research

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: van Hulst, Merlijn; Visser, E. Lianne
• 署名单位: Tilburg University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Leiden University
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13856
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 567-580
• 关键词: rigor; management; routines; guide; dance; doubt

摘要

Public administration scholars and practitioners need to know how state-of-the-art research is conducted. This article aims to contribute to the dialogue on qualitative analysis. Focusing on abductive analysis, it further unpacks and explicates the process and practices through which theoretical insight can be created from qualitative data. We offer four principles that guide abductive analysis: (i) embrace surprises, tensions, and doubts; (ii) use knowledges creatively to theorize; (iii) craft through methodological bricolage; and (iv) iterate through the research process. In addition, we discuss the implications of abductive analysis for how we learn, craft, and reflect on qualitative research. Evidence for practice Abductive analysis makes students and researchers more sensitive to and capable of dealing with surprises and the integration of prior knowledges, this way developing practically relevant theoretical insights. Practicing and discussing the principles of abductive analysis with other researchers can help both novice and experienced researchers navigate, reflect on, and learn from processes of abductive analysis. Reviewers and editors can spur this development, increase insight into analytical processes and support meaningful exchanges with readers by asking for extended methods sections with supporting materials online, keeping in mind the plurality of qualitative methods and analyses. With abductive analysis, practitioners can expect a research practice that is open to and interprets tensions in their everyday work and experiences. Thinking through and studying our qualitative research practice contributes to clearer insight for practitioners into how theoretical insights come into being and the analytical work through which it is developed.