Aims and Scope

The Qualitative Review is the flagship journal of the Society for Qualitative Research, dedicated to advancing the understanding and appreciation of qualitative research methods by emerging researchers. The mission of the journal is to provide a platform for students to contribute to the exploration and application of qualitative approaches in scientific inquiry.

The Qualitative Review invites rolling submissions from high school and college students engaged in qualitative research across all disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, history, language studies, linguistics, psychology, education, social policy, international relations, political science, performance studies, visual art, art history, and any related field. Topics may include, but are not limited to, cultural studies, community engagement, narrative exploration, and the analysis of social phenomena in society, economy, and philosophy.

We encourage submissions that not only present findings but also reflect on the research process, challenges encountered, and lessons learned. The journal is open to submissions in two formats: (1) research articles and (2) review articles.

Research Articles

Research articles present original research findings using qualitative methods and offer novel insights into research topics. These articles should include a clear research question, a detailed description of the methodology used, and a thorough analysis of the data collected. We are particularly interested in articles that:

• Explore new or underrepresented areas of qualitative research.

• Provide in-depth case studies or ethnographic accounts.

• Highlight innovative qualitative research methods or approaches.

• Discuss the implications of the findings for theory, practice, or further research.

Review Articles

Review articles provide a comprehensive overview of existing literature on a specific topic within qualitative research across the humanities and social sciences. These articles should summarize, analyze, and synthesize previous research findings, identifying trends, gaps, and areas for future investigation. We welcome review articles that:

• Offer critical evaluations of current qualitative research practices.

• Compare and contrast different qualitative methodologies.

• Address theoretical developments in qualitative research.

• Provide insights into the practical application of qualitative research findings

Why Publish with The Qualitative Review?

Free to Submit & Publish for All

We believe everyone should be able to submit their work free of charge to have an opportunity to publish in a top humanities and social sciences journal. That is why we have made it completely possible to submit and publish an article for free.

True Expedited Review

Within 2 days, you will have an initial decision on your manuscript by our editor to determine if the paper is within the aims and scope: accepted for review or rejected. Within two weeks or 10 business days, you will receive a full decision on your manuscript: publish with no revisions, publish with minor revisions, revise & resubmit with minor revisions, or revise & resubmit with major revisions.

Guaranteed Revise & Resubmit

If your manuscript is not accepted for publication, you will have an opportunity to revise & resubmit your manuscript. Our innovative policy allows you to receive feedback on your paper and make revisions before a final decision is made. Members of the Society of Qualitative Research will receive extensive feedback on all decisions, an unlimited amount of time to make required revisions for publication, and priority in their next review. Non-members must pay an author processing fee if they wish to receive extensive feedback in addition to their decision, and will need to submit their updated manuscript within 60 days to be considered for publication.

What methods are qualitative?

For our research articles, we are seeking research that employs one or more of the following methods.

Interviews

• Structured Interviews: A predetermined set of questions.

• Semi-structured Interviews: Flexible questions with room for follow-up.

• Unstructured Interviews: Open-ended and conversational.

Focus Groups

• Group discussions guided by a facilitator to explore specific topics.

Participant Observation

• Researchers immerse themselves in the environment being studied to observe and engage with participants.

Ethnography

• Detailed study of people and cultures through prolonged observation and participation.

Case Studies

• In-depth exploration of a single case or multiple cases within their real-life context.

Narrative Research

• Collection and analysis of personal stories and experiences.

Phenomenology

• Study of individuals’ lived experiences and how they perceive those experiences.

Grounded Theory

• Development of theories through systematic gathering and analysis of data.

Content Analysis

• Systematic examination of texts, media, and documents to identify patterns and themes.

Discourse Analysis

• Analysis of language use in texts and conversation to understand social and cultural contexts.

Historical and Archival Research

• Study and interpretation of past events using documents, records, and other sources.

Action Research

• Collaborative approach where researchers work with participants to address a problem and implement solutions.

Visual Methods

• Use of photographs, videos, and other visual materials to gather and analyze data.

Life History/Biographical Research

• A collection of detailed personal histories and life stories to understand individual experiences.

Autoethnography

• Researchers’ self-reflection and writing to explore their personal experiences and connect them to wider cultural, social, and political meanings.