Conducting Qualitative Work–Family Research across Cultures

doi:10.1017/9781108235556.009

9 - Conducting Qualitative Work–Family Research across Cultures

from Part III - Methodological Considerations

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 April 2018

Sowan Wong and

Vivian Miu-Chi Lun

Edited by

Kristen M. Shockley ,

Winny Shen and

Ryan C. Johnson

Show author details

Kristen M. Shockley: Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Winny Shen: Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Ontario
Ryan C. Johnson: Affiliation:
Ohio University

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Summary

In order to gain a complete understanding of work-family issues in different cultural contexts it is important for researchers to consider the local meanings of various work-family related concepts. Cross-cultural qualitative research can be used to explore different work-family phenomena in different cultural contexts and to compare the similarities and differences in those experiences across cultures. Qualitative approaches can also be used to complement quantitative research by establishing functional equivalence of concepts, or highlighting the unique components of the concepts in different cultural contexts. This chapter outlines some best practices in conducting qualitative work-family research across cultures (including data collection, sampling, and data analysis) and highlights some technical issues specific to cross-cultural qualitative research with references to these practices. Possible applications of the qualitative approach to supplement existing research findings are also discussed.

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of the Global Work–Family Interface , pp. 179 - 192

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108235556.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2018

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