Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Qualitative organizational researchers value evidence that offers rich insights into social phenomena. While the growing abundance of digital data holds significant potential, researchers are typically not present to observe the processes through which they are created or maintained. This article addresses the challenges this poses for those seeking to use digital data, such as emails, websites, and online videos, that exist as a consequence of naturally occurring interactions and events. We begin by problematizing the assumption that data quality depends on researchers’ presence during data creation, distinguishing a dominant epistemology of observation from an alternative epistemology of reconstruction. Building on this, we elaborate on the distinctive characteristics of digital data and the live and repository settings through which they are accessed. We then integrate these insights with the concepts of provenance and systematicity to develop an evaluative framework for assessing the suitability of naturally occurring digital data. Together, these contributions underscore the value and potential of these data, while providing practical guidance for their use in qualitative organizational research.
Source: Organization Studies
Institution: University of Birmingham
Language: English
Topic: Data Analysis and Archiving
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7166257205
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