Characteristics of Qualitative Research in Behavior-Analytic Journals: A Scoping Literature Review

Qualitative research is a common methodology used in fields such as education and medicine, but it is less common in behavior analysis. To explore the current use of qualitative approaches in behavior analysis, we conducted a scoping review aligned with recommendations from Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and Levac et al. (2010) across eight influential behavior-analytic journals to answer the research question: What are the characteristics of qualitative research in behavior-analytic journals? The search and screening resulted in 38 articles meeting the inclusion criteria across five of the eight journals. Data were charted and presented across basic publication metrics, qualitative approaches, study aims, and population or data source information. Most of the included articles were published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, utilized multiple methods, involved interviews with caregivers of individuals with disabilities or professionals in applied behavior analysis, and were analyzed using thematic analysis. Recommendations and resources for future qualitative research in behavior analysis are presented.