Research Method Division Professional Development Workshop:
How to Develop Theory-Data Fit on Silence in Qualitative Work?
Call for Papers
Organizers:
Hodar Lam, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Chuqiao Zhou, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, USA
Mirjam Werner, RSM Erasmus University, The Netherlands
Miikka J. Lehtonen, Rikkyo University, Japan
Panelists (in alphabetical order):
Ziyun Fan, University of York, United Kingdom
Dennis Jancsary, University of Liverpool Management School, United Kingdom
Lee Jarvis, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Mai Chi Vu, Monash University, Australia
Are you a qualitative researcher attuned to the subtle, silent signals in your interviews? Do you find yourself navigating challenging contexts with unspoken hints? Have you ever wondered how these non-verbal and unspoken clues could shape your analysis and spark new ways of theorizing? How can we develop a stronger theory-data fit when silence carries the meaning? Let's explore together the realm of these understated yet powerful elements and discover how they can shape how we theorize from qualitative data and impact your research journey!
This professional development workshop (PDW), sponsored by the Research Methods (RM) Division, aims to promote reflexivity on silence and the unspoken in qualitative work, especially for junior qualitative researchers (i.e., PhD students and early-career faculty members). Specifically, in this in-person two-hour PDW: (1) experienced qualitative researchers will share their experiences in both the data analysis and theory-building process and (2) interested researchers can share their work in progress and gain feedback from the panelists and the organizers. Together, we believe this platform will promote sustained interest and commitment in harnessing the power of silence in qualitative research towards developing organizational theories.
Programme
Part 1: Panel Discussion and Q&A (45 minutes) – all are welcome without registration.
We have invited influential qualitative scholars from both micro and macro research fields. They will share their thoughts on practical questions relating to collecting, analyzing, and theorizing silent and unspoken interview data.
After that, interested participants without submitting an extended abstract (Part 2 below) can join the discussion with the organizers on qualitative interviewing skills (led by Lam), multimodality of silence in organizations (led by Lehtonen), and implications of silence in cross-cultural contexts (led by Zhou).
Part 2: Feedback on specific questions and research ideas from panelists (30 minutes) – registration required.
If you have a research idea or if you are collecting interview data involving silence and the unspoken, for which you would like some feedback from our panelists, you should apply for the Part 2 of this PDW.
Each panelist will host a roundtable of up to 5 participants to facilitate group feedback on your idea. To apply for Part 2, please submit one Word or PDF file with the following information via the registration link by 14 June 2025 (Saturday):
1. Cover statement (p. 1): A short paragraph introducing your institution and your role and one specific question you want to discuss (200 words maximum)
2. Extended abstract of your research idea (font size 12, two single-spaced A4 pages maximum) (pp. 2-3)
3. 3-5 keywords of your research (p. 3)
Registration Link: https://lingnan.asia.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Y9wc4LXcaGXuwS
Successful applicants will be informed in early July. Priority will be given to PhD students and junior researchers. If you have any questions about this PDW, please contact Dr. Hodar Lam (hodarlam@ln.edu.hk), Dr. Chuqiao Zhou (czhou87@asu.edu), or Dr. Miikka J. Lehtonen (miikka@rikkyo.ac.jp).
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Hodar Lam
Research Assistant Professor, Work & Organisational Psychology
Lingnan University
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