Beyond listing themes: different ways to present qualitative findings

Twice last week, in coaching sessions with researchers, the same question came up: I have my themes — now what? This blog looks at the main ways qualitative findings can be presented, and how to choose between them. A theme-by-theme write-up isn’t the only way to present findings, and sometimes it isn’t the best one.

Prompt design for qualitative researchers: getting better results from AI

AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly woven into the everyday workflows of qualitative researchers. But the quality and consistency of that support depends almost entirely on how you prompt the tool. This article explains the difference between task and system prompts, and introduces a simple framework for designing prompts that actually reflect your methodology.

Theme or topic? Understanding the difference in qualitative analysis

Many qualitative researchers reach a familiar moment in analysis: the labels are tidy, the quotes fit, the structure looks professional — and yet something still feels off. That instinct is often correct. Here’s how to tell whether you’re looking at a topic or a theme, and why the distinction matters more than it seems.

Writing as analysis: building interpretation through iterative drafting

In qualitative research, analysis is often described as a layered process — starting with descriptive codes and building toward complex, interpretive themes. Writing should work the same way, yet it’s too often treated as a linear afterthought. Here’s what it means to write with layers, and why it deepens interpretation rather than just improving clarity.

The essential guide to publishing qualitative research

Publishing qualitative research comes with its own set of challenges — from methodological flexibility to convincing reviewers used to quantitative norms. Here’s what I’ve learned, across years of submissions, rejections, and eventual acceptances, about setting a manuscript up for success.

Will using AI stop you from getting published?

If you’re using AI in your qualitative research and worried about the implications for getting your work published, you have a reasonable concern — in a field where serious researchers currently disagree, sometimes sharply, about where AI belongs. Here’s what the evidence, and journal policies, actually say.