Qualitative Research

In the present study, an attempt is made to investigate the frequency and motives of using avoidance strategies by a group of Iranian intermediate language learners through their own journal writing. The effect of gender on the use of avoidance strategies is to be investigated as well. Thirty nine female and twenty three male learners enrolled in an English language spoken course in a private English institute served as the subjects. They were to write freely about their reactions, questions, and their feelings on their endeavor to speak English at the end of each session. One questionnaire was also included to survey the learners overall learning preferences and motivation. Examination and the analysis of the learners’ diaries revealed that using avoidance strategies was due, in turn, to the lack of knowledge, effect of fellow students, stress, lack of confidence, the effect of the teacher, score, and fatigue. Analysis also revealed that females used strategies more frequently than male supporting a number of research done previously on the same area.

One of the most important elements of public space in Stone Town of Zanzibar is the baraza. The baraza is the place where people sit, meet, talk, and even rest. In its simplest form, the baraza is a platform built in front of houses or in open public spaces. Although the baraza was brought to Stone Town from rural areas of Zanzibar in the past century, today it is a part of its identity. The main question of this research is that at the present time, given the formation of new public spaces, as well as the development of communication and social networks, what role do barazas play in the daily life of the inhabitants of Stone Town? Primary research data has been compiled through semi-structured interviews with residents, and secondary reports, articles and books have also been consulted. This research shows that in spite of lifestyle changes and the development of the media, the baraza is still an essential part of the everyday life and culture of the inhabitants of Stone Town: it is regarded as an information base, a place for entertainment, a social unit, a political platform, and a religious base.

This study aims at investigating the challenges of conducting qualitative research (QLR) from Iranian ELT (English Language Teaching) Ph.D. students’ and ELT faculty members’ viewpoints in the Iranian higher education context. The participants of the study consisted of 100 Ph.D. students majoring in ELT and 50 ELT faculty members. The study followed a mixed-methods approach with the exploratory design. The instruments utilized for collecting the data were a semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire. To analyze the qualitative data, a grounded theory approach was employed (Charmaz, 2006), and to analyze quantitative data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. The results of the study indicated that from the ELT Ph.D. students' perspectives, the Iranian educational system, professors, and lack of time, respectively, are factors affecting the possible weaknesses in undertaking QLR. While from the ELT faculty members' points of view, lack of time is the only reason for weaknesses in undertaking QLR. The results also demonstrated that from the viewpoint of ELT Ph.D. students, data interpretation, data analysis, data collection, data coding, and determining the validity of research, respectively, are the most challenging parts of conducting QLR. Moreover, from the perspective of ELT faculty members, data analysis, data collection, data interpretation, and data coding, respectively, are the most challenging parts of undertaking QLR. The implications of the present study for the universities in the context under investigation are discussed. At the end of the paper, some suggestions for further research are presented. 

Conducting qualitative research in applied linguistics seems to have some challenges. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the challenges of applied linguists across different research abilities to conduct qualitative studies. To that end, the biographical narratives, authored by 13 applied linguists, were collected. Then, the narratives were analyzed through qualitative data analysis principles, including organizing and familiarizing, coding and reducing, and interpreting and presenting (Ary et al., 2014). The findings showed that applied linguists face four challenges: methodological issues, technical issues, ethical issues, and qualitative research dissemination while doing qualitative research. The findings also indicated similarities and differences among applied linguists' challenges across different research abilities. It can be concluded that teaching qualitative research is more than mere lecturing about qualitative concepts. Thus, there should be practice-based instruction on qualitative research for applied linguistics students. Moreover, there should be a community for addressing pedagogical dialogs among applied linguists about doing qualitative research.

purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the perception and experience of teachers and educational managers about the implementation of the professional ranking plan of teachers in the education system of the Iran. Methodology: The method of this research is a qualitative exploratory research which has been conducted in an interpretive analysis method. The data gathering tool was a semi-structured interview, with interviews with 15 experienced teachers, principals, and executives of the project. Sampling was done using purposeful snowball method. For data analysis, coding was used in both open and axial coding. Findings: The results of the research showed that the teacher ranking plan has legal, scientific, professional and managerial requirements for its implementation. The main strengths of the plan include increasing teachers' motivation, improving teachers' skills, reducing teachers' livelihood issues, improving student achievement and reducing inequality. The weaknesses include lack of comprehensiveness of the plan, lack of transparency, the ability to apply personal opinion, the length of the process, high emphasis on seniority, weakness in information and lack of implementation. Conclusion: The most important solutions identified for improving the design are: having a professionalism approach to teachers, paying attention to improving teachers' livelihoods, teamwork and continuous evaluation, holistic approach, and bureaucracy reduction.

This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the formation of organic services marketing in the tourism industry. According to the research conducted by the researcher, organic services are a new definition in the service industry. Organic services should represent high quality and health, just as organic products do. This research was conducted using a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. The grounded theory was used in the qualitative part, through which the concepts and categories were identified in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. Data were collected using in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The snowball sampling was used, reaching saturation with a total of 13 experts in the ecotourism and nature tourism industry. Five subcategories of influencing factors on the axial phenomenon were obtained from the qualitative method. The axial phenomenon had four subcategories itself. The results obtained from the qualitative part were examined using the quantitative method of structural equations. All five causal factors (climatic attractiveness and novelty, abundance of traditional and rural houses, experience of silence and peace, enjoyment and experience of health tourism, and people companionship and synergy of tourism) affected the axial phenomenon of the tourism industry significantly and positively.

Every company should think about producing new goods, the production of alternative goods is necessary in order to stabilize the level of sales or new sales; Customers also want new products, and if the company neglects to do so, competitors will certainly do so. Therefore, the present article seeks to provide a model appropriate to the conditions of gas refining companies for product development. In this study, the qualitative research method has been used as a grand theory; Using theoretical sampling and theoretical saturation, 20 experts of gas refining companies (Parsian, South Pars, Fajr Jam) were interviewed. Based on the basic theory, the data were analyzed in three stages of coding (open, axial and selective) using MAXQDA software. In the open coding phase, the data were labeled conceptually and then those that were common to each other were named into a category; the obtained categories were 43 categories. In the central coding stage, logical relationships were found between the categories and the obtained categories were included in the open coding under more general categories; finally, in the selective coding stage, all categories were summarized in one main category. The main category of the research was named "Interfering factors in new product development". The final result of this research, according to the researcher's attention and reflection on the details of the process of each of the three refining companies, is to provide an existing common model for all three companies and also to provide a common desired model for all three companies. In the open coding phase, the data was labeled conceptually and then those that were common to each other were named into a category; The obtained categories were 43 categories. In the central coding stage, logical relationships were found between the categories and the obtained categories were included in the open coding under more general categories; Finally, in the selective coding stage, all categories were summarized in one main category. The main category of the research was named "Interfering factors in new product development". The final result of this research, according to the researcher's attention and reflection on the details of the process of each of the three refining companies studied, providing a common model for all three companies and also providing a common model for all three companies.

Talent is a fundamental quality in humans that entails personal and social differences. However, despite its importance, relatively few empirical studies have addressed identification and assessment of talents. An adequate exploration of any topic will require extensive knowledge about it. The Holy Quran, as the very words of the Creator, who created humans with a certain structure of existence, presents the most comprehensive knowledge. Therefore, this study drew on the Quran to present indicators for talent assessment using a qualitative approach. First, among all verses of the Quran, those with words somehow related to talent were selected, leading to a semantic web, which was then used to create a list of the most relevant words. Next, lexical and conceptual analyses and Quranic usage analyses of these words, along with content analyses of the verses containing them using tadabbur (Quranic Contemplation) methods, marked three words ( ni’mah – pleasant asset, sabīl – course, and faẓl – added privilege) as the main indicators for talent assessment. The findings showed that each of these indicators could be assessed in three areas, or axes, which included level of knowledge, level of yearning and level of access. Finally, the study suggests that, thanks to the comprehensive nature of the knowledge provided in the Quran, exploring the characteristics, components and dynamics of the three main words results in a far more wholistic framework for assessing human talents, which allows for more reliable and applicable results - compared to those provided by individualistic frameworks.

Metadiscourse markers are aspects of a text’s organization denoting a writer’s stance toward its propositional content. Given the ideological difference between quantitative and qualitative research in terms of determinacy, metadiscourse markers can be viewed as a venue through which writers’ epistemological positions are presented. The present study was designed to compare the use frequency of interactive and interactional metadiscourse markers in the discussion section of 20 quantitative and 20 qualitative applied linguistics research articles, with reference to Hyland's (2005) framework. The analysis involved the comparison of frequency counts of metadiscourse markers across the two corpora using a series of Chi-square tests. To that end, the results were computed and analyzed through SPSS. The results revealed significant differences in terms of the frequency of all interactive and interactional metadiscourse markers except for frame markers, evidentials, attitude markers, engagement markers, and boosters. The findings of study have important implications for academic writing instruction.

With the corona epidemic, virtual education has received the attention of the educational system more than before. Taking advantage of virtual education regardless of its basic principles and possible challenges will cause obstacles and problems in the implementation, effectiveness, and practical use of its capacities. The aim of the current research was to study the phenomenological challenges of virtual education and evaluation in primary schools from the perspective of teachers and parents. The research method was qualitative and phenomenological. The participants were 34 teachers and parents of elementary school students of Gonabad city (17 persons in each group), who were selected using the snowball sampling method. To collect the data, a semi-structured interview was used. Based on theoretical saturation, 34 interviews were conducted. To analyze the data, the seven-step Claysey method was used. After removing similar items and formulating concepts, the data analysis process led to the extraction of 48 sub-concepts. Sub-concepts were categorized under 4 main categories: 1) cultural and social challenges, 2) technical and infrastructure challenges, 3) educational challenges, and 4) ethical challenges. The results of the present study can be used to solve possible challenges and increase its effectiveness while using the capabilities of virtual education.

The main purpose of the present study was to determine the factors affecting the establishment of sports knowledge-based companies based on electronic knowledge. To pursue this aim, Glaser's grounded theory was used as the qualitative research method. 16 in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with academic and industry experts in the field of sports using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. Data analysis was performed in three stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, and the preliminary list of factors was identified through initial library studies. The 105 values affecting the development of sports knowledge-based companies based on electronic knowledge were extracted through the open coding process. The final pattern was created using the results of axial coding, which revealed the identification of 12 subcategories, falling into two main categories: intra-organization (human resources, management, marketing, legal, and financial factors) and extra-organization (educational/creativity and innovation factors, economic, cultural-social, infrastructure, legal, policy-making, and support/protection). According to the findings of the study, the professional and comprehensive view of managers and scientific and executive officials on these mentioned factors can change the ecosystem of sports entrepreneurship in Iran, providing the necessary context and infrastructure, as well as the sports community's interest in entrepreneurship and the formation of knowledge-based companies. This is, of course, accompanied by long-term job opportunities for activists in this sector as well as the development of new and inventive ideas, goods, and services.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the importance and significance of organizational virtue in promoting the performance of organizations, the present study was conducted with the aim of establishing a model of organizational virtue in the Red Crescent Society of Tehran province. METHODS: This qualitative research is applied in terms of objective, which was conducted using the Grounded Theory approach. The study population includes academic members and experts of the RCS of Tehran province. Using purposive sampling method, data saturation occurs after 15 interviews with the experts. Data was collected by using semi-structured interview and data analysis has been done in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. FINDINGS: The results showed that organizational virtue in the RCS of Tehran province is influenced by five dimensions which are effective factors. Considering the facilitating factors of organizational virtue as contextual conditions; the factors that inhibit organizational virtue as intervening conditions; components and indicators of organizational virtue as approaches will promote the organizational virtue in the RCS of Tehran province as much as possible. CONCLUSION: The proposed model for organizational virtue in the RCS shows that five dimensions: optimism, empathy, trust, responsible leadership and ethics as the effective factors in promoting organizational virtue in the Society that considering contextual conditions, intervening conditions, actions and reactions will increase organizational virtue in the Society.

Objective:  The present study was conducted to explain the lived experience of patient’s families with Covid-19 that admitted to the hospital.Methods: The present qualitative study was based on a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The population included the patient’s families with Covid-19 admitted to the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran during 2021-2022. After the initial investigation, 16 patient’s family’s members were selected through purposive sampling method. Data collection was done through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed following the method proposed by Diekelman et al. (1989). As for data management, Software MAXQDA version 10 was used.Results: Thirteen participants were female and 3 were male with a mean age of 31 years. The five main themes along with their sub themes were identified: “in the turbulent of the disease”, “emotional fluctuation”, “living with perception of loneliness”, “a flash of hope” and “in search of compatibility”.Conclusion:  The families of patients with Covid-19 admitted to the hospital appear to be experiencing a number of challenges. Nurse and treatment team can provide support for patient’s family and also, they can play an effective role in preventing adverse complications.

Aim: Today, many reasons have led to the widespread acceptance from married women towards employment. The growth of women's education level compared to the past, the desire for more economic prosperity, free time and the desire to have social activities are among these reasons. However, economic inflation and men's insufficient income for living is the most important reason for women's employment after marriage. The present research was conducted in 1401 on a community of families living in Tehran, where women started working after marriage. Method: The research method was qualitative and grounded theory, and the research tool was a semi-structured and in-depth interview. The data reached saturation with the participation of 19 couples. Results: From the analysis of the conducted interviews, the factors of creating satisfaction/dissatisfaction along with the contexts, facilitators, and interveners and their consequences, as well as the strategies that spouses use to achieve satisfaction from the phenomenon of employment after marriage were obtained. Discussion: The main category finally concluded that spouses' satisfaction/dissatisfaction with women's employment after marriage is based on the quality of the marital relationship and the existence of support resources of the family of origin. Conclusion: The results of current research can be used to adaptively confront the changes resulting from the phenomenon of employment after marriage, and to enrich the relationships of spouses as much as possible and, as a result the stability of families can be extracted from the practical strategies of the model obtained.

This study aims to explore the use of gamification in enhancing employee engagement within entrepreneurial firms, examining employees' perceptions, effective gamification strategies, the impact on engagement, and implementation challenges. This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with 20 participants from various entrepreneurial firms. Purposive sampling ensured that participants had relevant experience with gamification. Interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved, each lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo software, following a systematic coding process to identify themes, categories, and concepts. The analysis revealed four main themes: Perceptions of Gamification, Gamification Strategies, Impact on Employee Engagement, and Challenges in Implementation. Positive attitudes included enjoyment and increased productivity, while negative attitudes encompassed frustration and stress. Effective strategies included goal setting and rewards, interactive elements, and social engagement. Gamification positively impacted motivation, behavior, social dynamics, job satisfaction, retention, work-life balance, and innovation. Challenges identified were technical issues, employee resistance, resource constraints, and difficulties in measuring effectiveness and sustaining engagement. Gamification significantly enhances employee engagement in entrepreneurial firms by making work more enjoyable and motivating. However, successful implementation requires addressing technical issues, employee resistance, and resource constraints while ensuring continuous innovation. The study provides practical recommendations for leveraging gamification to foster a more engaged and productive workforce.