Qualitative research as a driving force focused on reflection and the constant rethinking of what we do, and how and why we do it

Editorial |EN The latest trends in qualitative research clamor to include practices that are ever more creative, more visual, more critical, more reflective, more collaborative, and even more multimodal. Rethinking and validating qualitative research as a more integral practice revives the original celebratory feeling related to qualitative research in its most intimate dimension: humanity. Why do we undertake qualitative research? Essentially, we engage in qualitative research to understand more and to understand better. In becoming closer to our humanity and the constructivist experiences that shape us on a daily basis, we forge ourselves as qualitative researchers in the constant search for the very meaning of the social phenomena relevant to our realities. Human, ever more human. Part of this human reality must bring with it significant doses of individual and collective reflection, of closeness to other latitudes, of constant criticality, of the systematic questioning as to the what, how and why of our qualitative research. We must investigate more on upcoming future trends so that they can form part of the conversation in the present. This conversation must include discussion about the effective and ethical use of communication and information technologies. It must question our data collection and analysis processes. Are we promoting free, safe, artistic, and symbolic spaces for our participants to explore their experiences and perceptions? Should we rethink the interview as an official mechanism for the collection of in-depth data? Could we think about other data collection techniques in which the participants can become the true protagonists of their own realities? Do we dare to rethink new trends that could guide participants in representing their realities more organically? As qualitative researchers, we must open ourselves to more participatory processes at community and regional levels; we must open the door to internationalization. We must, in turn, internalize conductive practices of reflective and critical questioning to challenge our own biases. Could the ethical and conscientious driving force in our work revolve around our self-awareness, our taking into account our own positioning in qualitative research studies? Could we celebrate open mindedness, embracing difference and embodying humility as fundamental pillars for those of us who dare to do qualitative research? Humble, ever more humble. Volume 20, Issue 1, of the journal New Trends in Qualitative Research, presents an enriching collection of these trends in qualitative research. Mohd Anis and Olisa (2024) present a pilot study that uses artificial intelligence in focus group processes as a mechanism to rethink data collection in a way that guarantees depth and scalability. Along similar lines, De Almeida et al. (2024) problematize pedagogical practices for teacher training and to guarantee the right to education in Brazil. Veras Meira and Fernandes (2024) reflect on decolonization and the need to institute new beliefs for a more emancipatory education. Picolo Gimenes et al. (2024) show how the use of the Drawing-Story Procedure promotes graphic expression through therapeutic play, and humanizes the collection of qualitative data, establishing ludic-affective links between children and nursing staff. Another study seeks to identify appropriate practices and strategies to minimize risks and impacts for patients who suffered from COVID-19 (Miranda et al., 2024). From Peru, an article reflects on the semantic and conceptual distinctions between theses, thesis reporting and scientific articles as academic practices in higher education, while another reflects on effective marketing strategies along with the challenges faced by some exporting companies in this nation. A research team from the University of Aveiro conducted a bibliometric and systematized study asking what is meant by plagiarism and self-plagiarism. In addition, a study carried out in Canada exemplifies creativity in qualitative research by using teaching innovation and research on primary school Social Science teachers. The authors Araújo-Oliveira et al. (2024) used socio-spatial analysis and the evaluation of musical works to promote professional development in teachers. Similarly, considerations rethinking the training of teachers in teacher-training colleges are presented, such that teachers can learn about the ontological, epistemological, and methodological dimensions of their educational research. Summers et al. (2024) make a reflective call for the collection of qualitative data on online contexts. Finally, presentation is made of an exploratory compilation of arts-based methods to assist in understanding the experiences of people working in care provision for the elderly. Techniques found in the compilation include the visual arts, photoelicitation and storytelling, among others. Such techniques deepened understanding of the emotional, psychological, and social perspectives of caregivers, while also promoting processes of self-reflection and dialogue in these. Such arts-based methods promise to position themselves as integral processes in qualitative research. The articles presented in this issue position qualitative research as a driving force focusing on reflection and the constant rethinking of the what, how and why of what we do. We hope that on reading this issue, you find more questions than you do answers, because we all owe ourselves this constant questioning, knowing that the conversation arising from qualitative research will always lead on to more. Reflective, ever more reflective.

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