Statement of purpose

The Qualitative Family Research Network (QFRN) is a group of family scholars who use qualitative methods in their research, and who meet and otherwise communicate with each other with the following goals.

  • To promote the use of qualitative research methods in family studies.
  • To share ideas in teaching qualitative methods in family studies.
  • To recognize high-quality contributions to qualitative family research.

Basically, it began with a 1984 Theory Construction and Research Methodology paper that Ralph LaRossa and Jane H. Wolf presented. The paper, "Qualitative Family Research: The State of the Art," let to a discussion at the sesison of what culd be done to support qualitative family research. In the wake of the session, Dr. LaRossa began posting notices in various places, announcing the formation of a "qualitative family research network."

The 1984 TCRM paper is available in NCFR's archives. The revised version of that paper was published in JMF.

Within QFRN is the Anselm Strauss Award Committee, which recognizes contributions to qualitative family research through an annual award.