International Qualitative Research on Teacher Education: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Directions

Abstract: In this article we explore and discuss the benefits of and the challenges that arise when using qualitative methods to conduct research internationally. We firstly discuss the relationship that writers of qualitative studies have with their readers and the implications of this for writing style. This is then followed by an overview of different aspects of data collection design. Within this section we discuss research that we have conducted, as part of a variety of international projects, using two qualitative approaches: systematic documentary research and interview. We then focus on using interview as a research method. This discussion regarding using interviews is divided into two. Firstly, we discuss issues of access and sampling, then the interview itself and the analysis of interview data. The final sections involve a discussion of ways in which validity and reliability can be contextualised within qualitative studies, and also a discussion on generalisability and the possibility of theory generation. We conclude with sections on ethics and possible future directions for international qualitative studies into teacher education.