Fewer Words, Equal Richness – How?
Hello Qualitative Mind,
As qualitative researchers, we commonly struggle with the length of our manuscripts (i.e., word count). During one of the Qualitative Research Blueprint (QRB) chats we had in 2021, a course member asked me to share strategies to decrease the length of a qualitative manuscript, especially when all participants’ quotes seem super relevant. In her case, the struggle resulted in a 7000-word manuscript that would need to be shortened by half!
I shared with her the three main strategies I use to decrease the word count of qualitative manuscripts. So here they are…
Strategy #1 – Choose participants’ quotes strategically
We often feel that all of our participants’ quotes are relevant, telling and strategic. As a result, we might miss instances where quotes might be redundant or overrepresenting a few participants versus others.
Also, there is an element of comfort that comes with showing participants’ words that validate our descriptions and interpretations of the findings. However, when we’re able to select those quotes that express in 100 words what we would, otherwise, explain in 250 words, then we hit the quote jackpot!
Participants’ voices (through quotes) make qualitative writing more lively and rich. But, if they’re simply repeating what we, as authors, have already described in the results, they might be redundant and therefore could be eliminated. Strategic quotes include unique words participants used, examples that vividly illustrate their experiences, and rich descriptions of their feelings and emotions.
One small but important detail that can help you trim quotes without guilt is by observing who they’re coming from. Often our most eloquent participants, who give us exceptionally rich details, end up being repeated over and over throughout the results, and that is something we should avoid. It’s a small detail that can help us select quotes that represent a variety of people and voices without overrepresenting one or a few participants.
Strategy # 2 – Use tables to add details while thinking about “fit”
We can add additional quotes that illustrate our themes or categories in a table. This means we’d be saying in our results that additional quotes related to such-and-such are included or described in table X. As soon as we put them in a table, we decrease the word count. BAM!
I wouldn't recommend putting all quotes in a table because, in my opinion, it takes too much richness from the text…part of that lively aspect of qualitative writing is lost when we delete quotes from the text and put them in a table only.
If a journal has a strict word count, it might be necessary for us as authors to critically think about fit. A strict word count of 3000 words or less could reflect epistemological differences that indicate the authors’ target journal is not the best fit for the qualitative work they’re proudly sharing with others.
Strategy #3 – Engage co-authors or professional editors in the process of writing more succinctly (aka chopping words)
Co-authors can be your greatest asset when trying to decrease the length of a qualitative manuscript. Ask them to read the results and be attentive to quotes that could be eliminated.
I do think that people who are closer to the research get really attached to participants’ quotes and voices. That’s when co-authors can come in and help!
Last but not least, if this is a manuscript that very much matters to you and your career, seek the help of a professional editor! It’s an investment that pays off for more than one reason. Not only will you increase your chances of publishing a manuscript that is clear (and perhaps with fewer revisions), but you’ll also learn how the professional editor achieved more clarity in your writing.
Using fewer words, or simply becoming better at synthesizing qualitative findings, is a continuous exercise for me and most of my coaching clients. We usually take a considerable amount of time to discuss their study findings, what will get to be presented and how it will be presented. In our discussions, we consider the factors above mentioned and very often return to their study objectives or research questions. If you follow the blog closely, you won’t be surprised that I encourage my coaching clients to (kind of) ground their findings in the research questions and objectives of their qualitative studies because, after all, that is where it all started. Not only do they appreciate the reminder, but also find immense clarity in circling back to the beginning.
Talk soon,
Maira
**Post updated April 12, 2022.