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The ride-along: a journey in qualitative research

The ride-along: a journey in qualitative research The purpose of this paper is to show why and how the “ride-along” can add great value to qualitative research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is primarily based on ethnographic research into food systems that the author carried out in Tanzania and draws on other research experience and existing literature on the “go-along” and “walk-along”.FindingsTransport choices are made in all social science research and therefore deserve greater attention in research design. Transport will influence how the researcher is perceived and what they will experience and find. The ride-along, when done well, minimises the risks and adds value to qualitative research.Practical implicationsResearchers need to be reflexive about transport choices and give them greater consideration in research design and practice. The examples from field experience and the considerations identified in this paper will assist researchers and their supervisors in this process.Originality/valueDespite the ubiquity of mobility in social science research, there is surprisingly little literature on the subject, especially related to the use of different modes of transport. The originality is in elaborating the importance of the ride-along and the value is in the clearly identified lessons for qualitative research methodology teaching and practice. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Qualitative Research Journal Emerald Publishing

The ride-along: a journey in qualitative research

Wegerif, Marc C.A.
Qualitative Research Journal , Volume 19 (2): 11 – Apr 18, 2019
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11 pages

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1443-9883
DOI
10.1108/qrj-d-18-00038
Publisher site
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Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to show why and how the “ride-along” can add great value to qualitative research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is primarily based on ethnographic research into food systems that the author carried out in Tanzania and draws on other research experience and existing literature on the “go-along” and “walk-along”.FindingsTransport choices are made in all social science research and therefore deserve greater attention in research design. Transport will influence how the researcher is perceived and what they will experience and find. The ride-along, when done well, minimises the risks and adds value to qualitative research.Practical implicationsResearchers need to be reflexive about transport choices and give them greater consideration in research design and practice. The examples from field experience and the considerations identified in this paper will assist researchers and their supervisors in this process.Originality/valueDespite the ubiquity of mobility in social science research, there is surprisingly little literature on the subject, especially related to the use of different modes of transport. The originality is in elaborating the importance of the ride-along and the value is in the clearly identified lessons for qualitative research methodology teaching and practice.

Journal

Qualitative Research Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Apr 18, 2019

Keywords: Africa; Ethnography; Reflexivity; Transport; Field studies; Qualitative research methods; Go-along; Ride-along

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