The Less Said, the Better

Abstract

Silence has not been fully appreciated in qualitative research, despite an increased awareness of its significance in communication. Cultural indifference toward silence not only inhibits researchers’ abilities to construct meaningful accounts but also negatively influences research outcomes. Drawing on the findings from our study, this article illustrates ways in which silence can be used in data analysis and how our reflexive approach reveals the underlying meanings of silence. We discuss cultural and historical contexts that have shaped the meanings of silence in a collectivist society and contrast them with the values of individualistic cultures. We also provide recommendations for researchers to treat silence as relevant and for reviewers to be culturally sensitive in evaluating it in research conducted in non-Western settings. Finally, we propose that qualitative research assessment criteria should be considered as a manifestation of Anglo-American academic culture in a globalized era of knowledge production in qualitative research.