A Journey of Method and Mindset: Embracing Qualitative Research in Education

Authors

  • Ni Thi Ha Nguyen University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
  • Bich-Hang Duong National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), USA
  • Thao Phuong Nguyen Faculty of Geography, Hanoi National University of Education, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2025.581

How to Cite

Nguyen, N. T. H., Duong, B.-H., & Nguyen, T. P. (2025). A Journey of Method and Mindset: Embracing Qualitative Research in Education. Vietnam Journal of Education, 9(Special Issue), 118–122. https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2025.581

Abstract

This editorial introduces the Special Issue “Qualitative Journeys: Reflecting on Educational Research and New Horizons,” which brings together seven original articles that showcase the richness and relevance of qualitative inquiry in educational research, particularly in the Vietnamese context. The paper traces the historical development and global expansion of qualitative research, advocating for its reimagining as not just a methodological approach but a mindset - one that embraces complexity, context, and the lived experiences of educational actors. Despite its marginalization in policy and research environments dominated by quantitative paradigms, qualitative inquiry is receiving growing attention from Vietnamese researchers. The seven contributions are organized into three thematic strands: (1) theoretical advancement in qualitative methodology, including explorations of autoethnography and design-based research; (2) reflective accounts of conducting qualitative research, such as narrative inquiry and personal research journeys; and (3) contextual applications and emerging practices, ranging from digital storytelling and naturalistic inquiry to teaching qualitative methods in quantitatively oriented doctoral programmes. Collectively, these papers offer methodological insights, practical guidance, and critical reflections that aim to support a broader, more diverse engagement with qualitative research in education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bateson, G., & Mead, M. (1942). Balinese Character: A photographic analysis. Pacific Affairs, 16(4), 501. https://doi.org/10.2307/2752090

Bogdan, R., & Biklen, S. K. (2007). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theories and methods (5th Edition). Pearson A & B.

Creswell, J. W. (2015). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (5th edition). Pearson.

Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.) (1994). Handbook of qualitative research. Sage.

Hatch, J. A. (2002). Doing qualitative research in education settings. Suny Press.

Ho, S. Q. (2023). Trí thức Việt Nam trong lĩnh vực khoa học xã hội và nhân văn: Thế mạnh và những rào cản. Tạp chí Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn, 2, 3-12. https://doi.org/10.56794/KHXHVN.2(182).3-12

Malinowski, B. (1922). Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Routledge.

Malinowski, B. (2013). Argonauts of the western Pacific: An account of native enterprise and adventure in the archipelagoes of Melanesian New Guinea [1922/1994]. Routledge.

Mead, M. (1928). Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilization. New York, William Morrow.

Mirhosseini, S. (2017). Introduction: Qualitative Research in Language and Literacy Education. In Educational linguistics (pp. 1-13). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49140-0_1

Morse, J. (2020). The changing face of qualitative inquiry. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920909938

Pham, L. T., & Hayden, M. (2019). Research in Vietnam: The experience of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Journal of International Comparative Education, 8(1), 27-40. https://doi.org/10.14425/jice.2019.8.1.27

Downloads

Published

2025-04-20

How to Cite

Nguyen, N. T. H., Duong, B.-H., & Nguyen, T. P. (2025). A Journey of Method and Mindset: Embracing Qualitative Research in Education. Vietnam Journal of Education, 9(Special Issue), 118–122. https://doi.org/10.52296/vje.2025.581

Issue

Section

Editorial