Language and rigour in qualitative research: problems and principles in analyzing data collected in Mandarin

Area of Science:

• Qualitative Research Methods
• Cross-cultural Research
• Public Health Research

Background:

• Qualitative research in Asia often involves data collection in national languages, presenting significant analytical challenges.
• Translation of transcripts is time-consuming, costly, and risks losing data meaning and validity.
• Language barriers can impact the depth, detail, and interpretation of qualitative data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the influence of language on the rigor of qualitative research processes in Asia.
• To propose practical solutions for overcoming language-related challenges in collaborative qualitative research.
• To share methods developed from public health research conducted in mainland China.

Main Methods:

• Drawing on published examples from public health research in mainland China.
• Analyzing challenges encountered in collecting, managing, and interpreting qualitative data in Mandarin.
• Suggesting solutions based on methods used in a specific research project in China.

Main Results:

• Identified challenges include achieving data depth, selecting data collection languages, managing Mandarin data, and language's influence on interpretation.
• Proposed methods aim to maintain analytical openness in collaborative qualitative research.
• Developed methods specifically for Mandarin data in mainland China.

Conclusions:

• Language presents significant challenges in collaborative qualitative research in Asia.
• The proposed methods offer potential solutions for maintaining data rigor and analytical openness.
• Further testing in diverse linguistic contexts and collaboration with other researchers are needed.