Public administration scholars and practitioners need to know how state‐of‐the‐art research is conducted. This article aims to contribute to the dialogue on qualitative analysis. Focusing on abductive analysis, it further unpacks and explicates the process and practices through which theoretical insight can be created from qualitative data. We offer four principles that guide abductive analysis: (i) embrace surprises, tensions, and doubts; (ii) use knowledges creatively to theorize; (iii) craft through methodological bricolage; and (iv) iterate through the research process. In addition, we discuss the implications of abductive analysis for how we learn, craft, and reflect on qualitative research.

中文翻译：

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定性公共行政研究中的溯因分析


公共管理学者和从业者需要了解最先进的研究是如何进行的。本文旨在为定性分析的对话做出贡献。它以溯因分析为重点，进一步解析和阐明了从定性数据中创建理论见解的过程和实践。我们提供了四个指导溯因分析的原则：（i）拥抱惊喜、紧张和怀疑； (ii) 创造性地运用知识进行理论化； (iii) 通过方法拼凑进行工艺； (iv) 迭代研究过程。此外，我们还讨论了溯因分析对我们如何学习、制定和反思定性研究的影响。