American Teachers’ Use of Qualitative Data in Their Daily Practice: Lessons for Instructors of Research Methods and Educational Leaders

• In Event: Students' and Instructors' Conceptions and Applications of Teaching and Learning Research Methods

Abstract

This paper explores how pre-k, primary, and secondary school teachers in the United States use and understand qualitative data. The authors found that teachers most commonly use qualitative data for formative assessment and to assess student well-being. However, many teachers also expressed confusion about qualitative data and how it can be used. This paper is amongst the first to use ATLAS.ti’s AI Summaries and AI Coding capabilities, in addition to manual coding, to explore the data. This study shows that PreK-12 teachers may need more exposure to qualitative research beyond a survey course to understand its implications for practice.

Authors

• Phillip D. Grant, Clemson University

• Elizabeth M. Pope, University of West Georgia