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Examining Cross-National Research Teamwork: Revealing Rewards and Challenges
- Source :
-
Qualitative Research Journal . 2021 21(4):361-374. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Teamwork has long featured in social science research. Further, with research increasingly "cross-national," communication becomes more complex, for instance, involving different cultures, languages and modes of communication. Yet, studies examining team communicative processes that can facilitate or constrain collaboration are rare. As a cross-national European team representing varied disciplines, experiences, languages and ethnicities, we undertook to examine our communication processes with the aim to promote better qualitative research practices. Design/methodology/approach: Viewing reflection as a tool for enhancing workplace practices, we undertook a structured reflection. We developed an empirically derived framework about team communication, then used it to analyse our interaction practices and their relative effectiveness. Findings: The results highlighted two under-examined influences, the use of different modes of communication for different purposes and the need for face-to-face communication to address a particularly challenging aspect of research, negotiating a shared coding scheme to analyse diverse cultural and linguistic qualitative data. Practical implications: The study offers a procedure and concepts that others could use to examine their team communication. Originality/value: The communicative processes that can constrain and facilitate effective cross-national research team collaboration are rarely examined. The results emphasise the need for careful negotiations around language, epistemologies, cultures and goals from the moment collaboration begins in formulating a project, through applying for grant funds, to when the last paper is published -- timely in a context in which such work is increasingly expected.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1443-9883
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- ERIC
- Journal :
- Qualitative Research Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- EJ1312072
- Document Type :
- Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-06-2020-0067