Qualitative Research and Quilting: Advice for Novice Researchers.

This paper relates how the author, a novice qualitative researcher, uses the familiar process of quilting to help her clarify the research process. Other novice researchers are advised to look around for similar connections they can make in their lives to assist with their research. Key Words: Qualitative Research, Research Process, Advice, and Novice Researchers ********** I am a qualitative researcher and a quilter. I have been a quilter for 25 years. I have been a researcher for 2 years. I have discovered conducting research is a lot like quilting and that the research process is a lot like the creative process of quilting. My purpose in this paper is to share how my connection with quilting has helped with my research. It is my hope that by seeing how I connected the quilting process with the research process, you might see some connections between your hobbies and interests that might assist you in your research, especially if you are a novice researcher as I am. The Quilting Process-An Overview Traditional quilting involves cutting up fabric into pieces and sewing them back together in a pattern to make a top. That top is then put over the filler, called batting, and another piece of fabric called backing. The three layers are held together by stitching, called quilting. The raw edges of the quilt are covered by a fabric edging, called binding. There are five steps to go through in completing a quilt: planning, cutting, sewing, quilting, and binding. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] When you make a quilt, you carefully consider the pattern, the colors, and the fabrics that will be suitable for your quilt's purpose. You often plan on paper before you go to the quilt store, sketching the design and deciding on colors, so you know how much to buy of each of the needed fabrics. Next you consider the pieces of fabric you will need to cut. Do you need to cut some long border pieces? If so, cut those first and then lay them aside. You cut any large triangles or strips next, and then cut smaller pieces. Then the real fun begins--the sewing. This proceeds in an orderly fashion, sewing small pieces together, building blocks, then putting blocks together into rows, adding sashing (strips of fabric put between blocks) and borders as your design dictates. Even though you have a plan, you really don't know what the finished quilt will look like until it is all together. The sketch you made on paper just does not look the same as the real fabrics. So all the while you are sewing the pieces together you are in suspense. Will the quilt look like you expected? Will it have the visual effect you wanted? Will that pretty piece of green fabric stand out too much? Will that soft blue be too pale-looking? When the top is completed then that part of the suspense is over. The next step will add texture and dimension to your quilt and hold the three layers together: In fact, this is what will make it a quilt, the quilting! You must decide what quilting design will complement the pattern on the top, and again you will not truly know the outcome until it is all done. The last step is putting on the binding, finishing off those raw edges. Then the quilt will be ready to use and to share with others. At each step in the process, you must evaluate the outcome, make adjustments, and decide on the next step. Sometimes you have to step away from the quilt, have someone else look at it critically, and give you feedback. The Research Process How does quilting relate to qualitative research? Recall that there are steps to follow to complete a quilt. There are also steps to follow in carrying out a qualitative research project: planning, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. Initial Planning When you conduct qualitative research, you must make a plan. You must consider your research questions and pick an appropriate methodology and methods that are suitable for your questions, just as you choose a quilt design and fabrics that are appropriate for the quilt's intended purpose. …