Book Reviews

Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs in Leadership and Life

Jeff Wetzler’s Ask argues that significant insights, better decision-making, and stronger relationships are often hidden in the unspoken thoughts, feelings, and knowledge of the people around us. His book provides a practical, step-by-step framework—The Ask Approach—to effectively uncover this “hidden wisdom” in both personal and professional settings. […]

Schools of Thought

Thinking Like a Business: Four Strategies to Translate Research into Business Value

Author Josh LaMar offers a practical framework for translating research insights into measurable business outcomes. Using Jay Abraham’s Three Ways to Grow a Business and the author’s own Three Lenses of Strategy, it outlines four actionable strategies that connect research to revenue growth, pricing power, customer retention, and cost reduction. Whether you work in user experience, market research, or product strategy, you’ll learn how to position your findings in terms business leaders understand—making your work more impactful and your role more indispensable. […]

Business Matters

The Moderator Reimagined: Lessons from a Season Away

Veteran moderator Judithe Andre draws on her experience as a national board-certified health & well-being coach and wellness studio operator to reimagine what it means to listen. In this reflective, practice-focused article, she explores how motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and behavioral science can strengthen qualitative research. Her integrated approach—what she calls Moderator Methodology—offers a roadmap for researchers seeking to balance presence with precision, empathy with insight, and human care with analytical rigor. […]

Book Reviews

Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering

Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders and the Rise of Social Engineering is Malcolm Gladwell’s thought-provoking follow-up to The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. In it, he explores how small, often hidden changes made by those in power can shape behavior and drive social outcomes. Gladwell argues that we all share responsibility for ensuring these forces are used in ways that support—not undermine—our democracy. […]

Travelwise

“Buen Camino” to Our Milestone Pilgrimage–85 Miles of Learning and Reflecting from the Camino de Santiago

Two seasoned qualitative researchers turn an 85-mile journey on Spain’s Camino de Santiago into a powerful lens on reflection, connection, and the craft of insight. Blending ancient pilgrimage traditions with modern research sensibilities, they uncover lessons about traveling light—both physically and mentally. Their week-long trek is a story of movement, meaning, and the surprising clarity that emerges when we step away to walk with intention. […]

Global

MALE IN THE MIDDLE: Understanding the untold story of middle-class men in Indian households

India’s urban middle-class men—one of the country’s most influential yet increasingly misunderstood consumer groups—are undergoing a profound identity renegotiation shaped by feminism, changing family structures, shifting career paths, and fast-evolving media narratives. This article uncovers the complex tensions shaping their lives. For brands and researchers, this segment’s layered psyche represents an urgent—and largely untapped—opportunity. This piece offers a rich, insight-packed roadmap for anyone seeking to understand or influence India’s evolving male consumer. […]

Book Reviews

TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves

Author Alison Wood Brooks describes why the art of conversation is difficult for so many of us. Whether you’re a skilled moderator or a student seeking your first job, conversing is difficult. Learn about Brooks’ ‘TALK’ strategy: topic choosing, asking more/better questions, levity when understanding someone’s story, and kindness—which will inspire your future conversations. […]

Conference

2026 QRCA Annual Conference – Where Qualitative Research Professionals Thrive

Join QRCA February 2–5, 2026 in San Antonio for an unforgettable annual conference at the Westin San Antonio North. This year’s location offers easy access to the Texas Hill Country and downtown’s blend of cowboy heritage and vibrant Mexican culture. Explore historic missions, lively markets, authentic cuisine, and the River Walk while connecting with fellow researchers. From rodeos and Western art to Tex-Mex feasts and German Hill Country traditions, San Antonio is the perfect backdrop for learning, networking, and a uniquely Texas experience. […]

Luminaries

How Getty Images Uses Data-Driven Insights to Shape Visual Culture with Dr. Rebecca Swift

Dr. Rebecca Swift shares how research and data-driven insights shape the future of visual content. She explains the evolution of Getty’s Visual GPS methodology, which blends content analysis, semiotics, and consumer data to drive representation and authenticity in imagery. Swift also discusses the impact of AI-generated content, the shifting trust in digital visuals, and Getty’s approach to responsible AI tools. This conversation highlights the power of qualitative research in predicting trends and influencing visual storytelling in advertising and media. […]