AMERICAN JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

About the Journal

American Journal of Qualitative Research (AJQR) is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes qualitative research articles from a number of social science disciplines, such as health science, psychology, sociology, criminology, education, political science, and administrative studies. The journal is an international and interdisciplinary focus and greatly welcomes papers from all countries. The journal offers an intellectual platform where researchers, practitioners, administrators, and policy-makers can contribute and promote qualitative research and analysis.

Aim and Scope

The American Journal of Qualitative Research (AJQR) is a free, peer-reviewed interdisciplinary open-access journal for scholars of qualitative research and publishes under the Center for Ethnic and Cultural Studies in Fort Myers, Florida, United States. The journal was established in 2017 as an eclectic and international forum for papers reporting original methodological insights and publishes papers with a clear methodological focus and funded-project proposals using qualitative useful to the global research community. AJQR invites scholarship with a multi-disciplinary appeal that debates and enlivens qualitative methods and pushes the boundaries of established ways of doing qualitative research. AJQR is interested in papers that are attentive to a wide audience and open to new and diverse ways of thinking about qualitative methods. 

Publication Frequency & DOI

American Journal of Qualitative Research (AJQR) is published every February, May, August, and November.  In addition to the special issues, which may be various numbers for each year.

AJQR assigns a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to each published article. DOI is a unique access number that enables the identification and accessibility of each article published electronically. It is mandatory that each article published in AJQR or in the early release is assigned a DOI number.

Global or Self Plagiarism

Authors cannot use other researchers’ opinions or thoughts as their own. Similarly, authors cannot use thoughts, opinions, and parts of research from their own previous work without citing them properly. All manuscripts must be free from plagiarism contents. All authors are suggested to use plagiarism detection software to do the similarity checking. Editors check the plagiarism detection of articles in this journal by using Turnitin and/or Grammarly software.

After acceptance, the manuscripts are checked for plagiarism and bibliography and ready for publication and are given a DOI number by the Editorial Board.

Ethical Guidelines

The American Journal of Qualitative Research (AJQR) is deeply committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct in research. We adhere to established international bioethics guidelines, including those set forth by the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, and other key frameworks, ensuring that all research involving human subjects is conducted with respect for individual dignity, privacy, and integrity.

Research Involving Vulnerable Populations

AJQR recognizes that certain populations may be at a higher risk of harm or exploitation in the research context. Vulnerable populations are defined as individuals who may have limited autonomy or increased susceptibility to coercion or harm. These populations require heightened protection and ethical oversight. The journal mandates strict compliance with ethical protocols when conducting research involving these groups.

The following vulnerable populations are identified, though this list is not exhaustive:

  1. Children and Adolescents: Researchers must obtain informed consent from legal guardians and, when possible, assent from the child participants themselves. The assent process should be conducted in a manner appropriate to the child’s age and comprehension level. Researchers should ensure that participation does not expose children to undue risk or emotional distress. Extra care should be taken to explain the research purpose in language the child can understand.
  2. Elderly Individuals: Elderly participants may face physical, cognitive, or emotional vulnerabilities. Researchers should ensure that elderly individuals are able to provide informed consent, and if cognitive impairments are present, legal guardians must be involved. The research process should prioritize the physical comfort and emotional well-being of elderly participants, avoiding any activities that may cause harm or unnecessary stress.
  3. Individuals with Disabilities: Participants with physical, intellectual, or emotional disabilities require particular attention to ensure that they understand the research they are participating in. Researchers should provide any necessary accommodations to facilitate their understanding and participation. For those with cognitive impairments, informed consent must be sought from legal guardians. Researchers must take all necessary measures to avoid coercion or undue influence.
  4. Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Displaced Persons: This group often faces significant emotional and legal challenges, such as trauma, legal vulnerability, or uncertainty about their future. Researchers must exercise extreme caution to ensure that participation is voluntary and that no harm, re-traumatization, or exposure to legal risks occurs. Full transparency about the research and its potential impacts is essential, and participants should be given the opportunity to withdraw from the study without consequence.
  5. Ethnic, Cultural, and Religious Minorities: Historically marginalized communities may face additional risks in research, such as exploitation, discrimination, or misrepresentation. Researchers must take cultural sensitivity into account at all stages of the research process. Data collection methods should respect the values and beliefs of the community, and participants’ privacy must be rigorously protected.
  6. Economically Disadvantaged Individuals: Individuals from low-income backgrounds may be vulnerable to coercion, especially if financial incentives are offered for participation. Researchers must ensure that economic need does not unduly influence the decision to participate. Compensation for participation must be reasonable and proportionate, and researchers must avoid creating a power imbalance based on economic disparities.
  7. Prisoners and Institutionalized Individuals: Individuals who are incarcerated or institutionalized may face restrictions on their ability to freely consent due to their environment. Researchers must ensure that participation is completely voluntary and that no pressure is applied from authorities. Ethical oversight for such research must be thorough, and special protections must be put in place to safeguard the participants’ rights.
  8. Pregnant Women and Fetuses: Pregnant women are considered vulnerable because of potential risks to their health and the health of their unborn child. Researchers must clearly communicate any potential risks associated with the study. In cases where pregnant women are participants, additional care should be taken to ensure that both mother and fetus are protected, and that risks are minimized.
  9. Individuals with Serious or Terminal Illnesses: People with chronic illnesses or terminal conditions may be in a vulnerable position due to their health status. Researchers should be sensitive to their emotional and physical well-being, and ensure that they are not pressured into participation. The potential benefits of the research must be clearly outlined, and any risks should be transparently communicated.
  10. LGBTQ+ Communities: Sexual and gender minorities may face unique vulnerabilities related to societal discrimination, stigma, or legal status. Researchers should handle such studies with particular care to ensure confidentiality and protect participants from any potential harm or stigmatization. The research design must account for the specific sensitivities of these groups.

Ethical Requirements for Researchers

For all research involving vulnerable populations, AJQR expects authors to adhere to the following key principles:

  1. Informed Consent:
    • Researchers must obtain explicit, informed consent from participants or their legal guardians. The consent process must include a detailed explanation of the study’s purpose, methods, risks, and benefits.
    • Consent must be sought in a manner that is comprehensible to participants, ensuring that they are fully aware of their right to refuse or withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
    • For participants with limited capacity, such as children or individuals with disabilities, both guardian consent and participant assent are required.
  2. Minimizing Harm:
    • Researchers must take all necessary measures to minimize the potential for harm to vulnerable participants. This includes psychological, emotional, physical, and social harm.
    • If the research involves any risk, the potential benefits must clearly outweigh these risks, and additional precautions must be taken to mitigate any possible negative impacts.
  3. Confidentiality and Anonymity:
    • Researchers must ensure the confidentiality of all data obtained from vulnerable participants. Pseudonyms, anonymization of sensitive data, and secure data storage practices must be employed.
    • Special attention must be given to the risk of inadvertently exposing vulnerable populations to harm through the disclosure of personal information.
  4. Voluntary Participation and Non-Coercion:
    • Participation in research must be completely voluntary, without any form of coercion or undue influence. Vulnerable participants must feel free to refuse or withdraw from the research without any negative consequences.
    • Financial or other incentives should be appropriate and not create undue pressure on economically disadvantaged participants.
  5. Ethical Oversight:
    • Research involving vulnerable populations must undergo rigorous ethical review by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee. Proof of ethical approval must be provided upon submission of manuscripts.
    • The ethical review process should ensure that the proposed research adheres to the highest standards of protection for vulnerable populations.
  6. Cultural Sensitivity:
    • Researchers must demonstrate an understanding of the cultural, social, and religious contexts of vulnerable populations. Research methods and questions must be designed to respect participants’ cultural values and identities.
  7. Monitoring and Reporting:
    • Researchers are responsible for monitoring the well-being of participants throughout the study and are required to report any adverse effects immediately to the ethics committee overseeing the research.
    • Participants should be provided with resources and support, particularly if the study has the potential to cause distress or trauma.

By adhering to these comprehensive ethical guidelines, AJQR seeks to uphold the rights, dignity, and welfare of all participants, with particular attention to vulnerable populations. These enhanced protections ensure that research published in AJQR maintains the highest standards of ethical integrity.