Choosing the Right Emic Lens: Exploring Different Qualitative Research Designs and Their Applications

Abstract

The current study sets out to provide a thorough overview of core qualitative research designs widely deployed in social sciences in general and management science in particular. A scoping review of 160 articles, following PRISMA, was conducted to expose the philosophical underpinnings, key characteristics, and practical applications of each design. The scoping review was geared towards investigating commonly used qualitative research designs through the lens of ontology, epistemology, and axiology. The study general analysis model provides a subtle understanding of the strengths and limitations of each design. Importantly, the study acknowledges the potential challenges associated with each design, such as issues of generalizability and researcher bias. In a few words, this scholarly work aims at arming researchers with the required knowledge to select the most appropriate qualitative research design for their specific research objectives.