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Qualitative research in career development: content analysis from 1990 to 2009

  • Graham B. Stead
  • Justin C. Perry
  • Linda M. Munka
  • Heather R. Bonnett
  • Abbey P. Shiban
  • Esther Care
Article
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Abstract

A content analysis of 11 journals that published career, vocational, and work-related articles from 1990 to 2009 was conducted. Of 3,279 articles analyzed, 55.9% used quantitative methods and 35.5% were theoretical/conceptual articles. Only 6.3% used qualitative research methods. Among the qualitative empirical studies, standards of academic rigor and procedures that are typically honored within qualitative research were either not followed or were not reported. Fundamental changes need to occur if qualitative research methods are to rise to a higher level of publication and general interest among consumers of career development literature. Recommendations for future training and research are provided.

Keywords

Content analysis Qualitative Career 

Résumé

Recherche qualitative en développement de carrière: une analyse de contenu de 1990 à 2009. Une analyse de contenu a été menée sur 11 revues ayant publié des articles relatifs à la carrière, à l’orientation et au travail de 1990 à 2009. Sur 3,279 articles analysés, 55.9% ont utilisé des méthodes quantitatives et 35.5% étaient des articles théoriques/conceptuels. Uniquement 6.3% des articles ont utilisé des méthodes qualitatives. Parmi les études empiriques qualitatives, les standards de rigueur académiques et les procédures qui sont habituellement utilisés dans la recherche qualitative n’étaient soit pas suivis ou pas reportés. Des changements fondamentaux doivent s’opérer afin que les méthodes de recherche qualitatives s’élèvent à un niveau supérieur de publication et d’intérêt auprès des consommateurs de littérature sur le développement de carrière. Des recommandations pour des formations futures et la recherche sont fournies.

Zusammenfassung

Qualitative Forschung in der Laufbahn-Entwicklung: Inhalts-Analyse von 1990 bis 2009. Eine Inhaltsanalyse von 11 Zeitschriften, welche Artikel zu Karriere, Beruf und Arbeit veröffentlichen wurde von 1990 bis 2009durchgeführt. Von den 3.279 analysierten Artikeln gebrauchten 55,9% quantitativen Methoden und 35,5% waren theoretisch-konzeptionelle Artikel. Nur 6,3% verwendeten qualitative Forschungsmethoden. In den qualitativen empirischen Studien wurden akademische Standards und Verfahren, die typischerweise innerhalb der qualitativen Forschung hochgehalten werden entweder nicht beachtet oder nicht berichtet. Grundlegende Veränderungen müssen auftreten, wenn qualitative Forschungsmethoden mehr publiziert und ein allgemein größeres Interesse bei den Konsumenten der Laufbahn- Literatur erreicht werden soll. Empfehlungen für die künftige Ausbildung und Forschung werden angeboten.

Resumen

Investigación cualitativa sobre el Desarrollo de la Carrera: Análisis de contenido de 1990 a 2009. Este artículo presenta un análisis de contenido llevado a cabo a partir de 11 revistas que publicaron artículos relacionados con el trabajo, el desarrollo vocacional y la orientación para la carrera entre 1990 y 2009. De 3,279 artículos analizados, 55.9% usaron métodos cuantitativos y 35.5% eran articulos teóricos/conceptuales. Sólo un 6.3% usaron métodos de investigación cualitativos. Entre los estudios empíricos de naturaleza cualitativa, no se siguieron, o al menos no se mencionaron, los procedmientos y criterios académicos de rigor que suelen tenerse en cuenta en la investigación cualitativa. Es necesario que se produzcan cambios fundamentales para que se incremente el nivel de publicación de los métodos de investigación cualitativa y aumente también el interés general entre los lectores de la literatura sobre la orientación para la carrera. Se ofrecen recomendaciones para la formación e investigación futuras.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Graham B. Stead
    • 1
  • Justin C. Perry
    • 2
  • Linda M. Munka
    • 3
  • Heather R. Bonnett
    • 4
  • Abbey P. Shiban
    • 5
  • Esther Care
    • 6
  1. 1.Cleveland State UniversityClevelandUSA
  2. 2.Cleveland State UniversityClevelandUSA
  3. 3.Garfield Heights City SchoolsGarfield HeightsUSA
  4. 4.Cleveland State UniversityClevelandUSA
  5. 5.Cleveland State UniversityClevelandUSA
  6. 6.University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia

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