Date: Thursday, 5th March Time: 10-10.45am GMTLocation: OnlineRegister here Overview Themes are everywhere in qualitative research, but what they mean depends on how you're doing analysis. In this practical, theory-informed session, Dr Claire Moran will...
Blog
Why “Themes” are so Often Misunderstood in Qualitative Research
And how to recognise the early signs of trouble If there is one word that quietly causes more confusion in qualitative research than almost any other, it is “theme.” Most researchers can describe what a code is. Many can explain what categories are. But when it comes...
Free Webinar: What Counts as a Theme and Why it Matters in Qualitative Research
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026Time: 12-12.45pm Australian Eastern Standard TimeLocation: OnlineRegister here Overview Themes are everywhere in qualitative research, but what they mean depends on how you're doing analysis. In this practical, theory-informed...
Start Where You Are: Building a Sustainable Research Practice in 2026
Welcome to 2026! If you're feeling a mix of motivation, fatigue, and cautious optimism, you’re not alone. January often brings the pressure to reset, plan, or push forward. But it can also be a moment to begin gently. To take stock. To design your year with care. This...
Taking Stock – A Year-End Inventory for Qualitative Researchers
As the year winds down and the inbox finally quiets, there's often the urge to close the book on it. But what if you didn’t just yet? What if you paused instead, and treated December as an opportunity to get clear on the year that was? Before the holiday season kicks...
Cognitive Sovereignty in the Age of Generative AI: Lessons from the Deloitte Report
Introduction When Deloitte admitted to using a generative AI model (GPT-4o via Azure OpenAI) in its $440,000 compliance review for the Australian government, the issue went far beyond faulty references. The report, initially containing fabricated legal cases and...
From Evidence to Illusion: When Generative AI Undermines Public Accountability
Introduction In October, Deloitte agreed to issue a partial refund to the Australian government after serious flaws were uncovered in a $440,000 report evaluating the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)'s compliance framework. The report,...
From Puzzle to Credibility – Building Coherent Research Designs
Introduction Strong research design isn’t just about avoiding mistakes. It’s about actively building coherence, originality, and credibility. Once you’ve addressed common pitfalls, the next step is strengthening the elements that make your project stand out. In...
Why Research Designs Fail (and How to Spot Misalignment Early)
Introduction Too many researchers discover problems with their research design late in the process—at the ethics stage, during peer review, or even in the viva. The most common issue is not a lack of effort or ambition, but misalignment. Coherence is the golden thread...
