Presenting a Qualitative Study: A Reviewer’s Perspective

Intended to guide scholars who are new to qualitative research, this methods brief focuses mostly on what reviewers look for in manuscripts submitted for publication. The author acknowledges that reviewers’ preferences likely reflect their theoretical perspectives, research-oriented coursework, mentors, and research and writing experiences. The emphasis, therefore, is on terminology and basic elements that apply across a broad range of qualitative approaches. Discussion also addresses researcher inclinations toward qualitative inquiry; the importance of fit among approach, purpose, and research questions; the need for manuscript authors to identify potential researcher bias and explain how it was monitored; and the necessity of including and describing other elements that contribute to trustworthiness. Examples from journals in the field represent a wide range of research types, foci, and data sources.