Earlier this month, PhD student Sharon Koshy embarked on a transformative academic journey at the Institute of Qualitative and Multi-method Research (IQMR) held at Syracuse University, New York. The two-week intensive workshop, renowned for its rigorous training in qualitative and mixed-method research, offered a timely pause from her ongoing ethnographic fieldwork and a chance to recalibrate her research lens.

Having already completed the first leg of her fieldwork, the researcher found IQMR 2025 to be more than just a methodological boot camp; it was a space for reflection, intellectual camaraderie, and personal growth. The institute challenged her to think critically about the tools she was using and the kind of methodologist she aspired to become. In the process, she connected with a vibrant community of scholars working across diverse geographies and disciplines, yet united by shared ethical and pragmatic concerns.

Sharon shares her 'Key Takeaways from the Workshop':

1. Rejecting Methodological Maximalism

One of the most profound realisations she carried home was the importance of resisting the urge to be a "methodological maximalist." In the world of qualitative research, there's often an implicit pressure to employ a wide array of methods, sometimes at the expense of clarity and relevance. Sharon emphasised the need for researchers to continually ask themselves: "How does my choice of methods answer my research question?" This iterative self-questioning, she believes, is crucial to maintaining methodological integrity.

2. The Power of Preparation and Positionality

Fieldwork, she learned, demands more than just academic readiness. It requires emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of one's positionality. Her own experience navigating an insider-outsider dynamic within the communities she studies highlighted the unpredictable nature of fieldwork. Initial delays and roadblocks served as reminders that relationship-building and recruitment strategies must be tailored to the cultural context. These lessons reinforced the idea that a researcher’s identity and epistemological commitments are inseparable from their methodological choices.

3. Building Ethical and Collaborative Research Communities

Perhaps the most energising aspect of IQMR was the opportunity to engage with fellow researchers who are passionate about conducting ethical, impactful social science. The workshop fostered a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect, reminding participants that research is inherently extractive, and that scholars have a responsibility to give back to the communities they study. This ethos of reciprocity and care left a lasting impression on her, reigniting her enthusiasm for the next phase of fieldwork.

Looking Ahead

As she prepares to return to the field, Sharon feels equipped not just with new tools, but with a renewed sense of purpose. She credits the ANU College of Arts & Social Sciences for selecting her, along with three peers, to attend IQMR, and expresses deep gratitude to her supervisor, Dr. Matt Withers, for his unwavering support.

IQMR 2025 was more than a workshop—it was a crucible for growth, reflection, and connection. And for this researcher, it marked a pivotal moment in her journey toward becoming a thoughtful, ethical, and grounded methodologist.