Qualitative Inquiries by Transitioning to ‘Digital Methods’: A Case Study on Leaders’ Perspectives of Agriculture Research Management by Key Performance Indicators

Abstract

Strategies redefined and then applied in the process of a research study determine primarily the quality of data/information gathered, and finally, the overall success of that research. This research aims to develop a qualitative study protocol that warrants online-based methodologies to be effectively used for obtaining information from knowledge-intensive entities. A case study was conducted to analyse the metadata of a series of in-person interviews that revealed how the top administration manages the performance of research and development in the commercial agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. The findings and knowledge acquired from the case study were utilized to propose an innovative protocol that can be used to conduct qualitative research. The metadata of the qualitative study was critically analysed in two phases (Phase 1 = 10, and Phase 2 = 32 interviews including Phase 1 interviews) to justify and validate the steps of the protocol. The proposed protocol with robust steps in inquiring is expected to advance the knowledge of the researchers/interviewers on producing better interview experiences in an online environment when a person in the upper echelon of an institute participates as an interviewee. According to the authors’ judgment and experience, the protocol proposed is one of the foremost rationalized attempts to establish an informed guideline for conducting qualitative research in similar capacities and environments.