Qualitative research in finance – pedigree and renaissance

This paper sets out the reasons for putting together a special issue of the Journal on Qualitative Research in Finance, discussing the pedigree of the approach, and outlining the articles contained therein.

The approach adopted in this paper involves discussing the use of qualitative research in finance in previous years, focussing in particular on the pedigree of such analyses and describing the renaissance experienced by this type of work in recent years. The four empirical articles contained in the issue are then set in the context of this overview.

The paper makes clear the need for more research of a qualitative nature in finance, and illustrates that the recent renaissance in such work reflects the pedigree of the approach the ability of the methodology to generate novel and important empirical insights.

The paper explains the role of qualitative finance work in complementing – rather than replacing – conventional quantitative research and highlights some of the key areas and ways in which such analyses are likely to prove fruitful.