Balancing rigour and practicality when conducting large-scale, longitudinal audio diary studies: guidance for business and management research

Donald, William ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3670-5374 , Hughes, Helen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8454-8206 , Padgett, Rebecca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6957-6097 and Mouratidou, Maria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8144-3537 (2025) Balancing rigour and practicality when conducting large-scale, longitudinal audio diary studies: guidance for business and management research. Management Research Review .

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Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to expand the methodological toolkit by detailing an approach for conducting large-scale audio diary studies in business and management education research. The authors address two research questions: (1) How can large-scale, longitudinal audio diary studies be conducted in a way that balances rigour and practicality? (2) What methodological challenges arise when implementing a longitudinal audio diary study at scale, and how might these be addressed?

Design/methodology/approach: They draw on insights from a study with 128 international students in a UK business school who provided a combined 602 reflective audio diary contributions to inform a ten-step process for conducting large-scale audio diary studies.

Findings: They present a flexible ten-step process, discussing challenges and recommendations regarding participant engagement and retention, technology, data quality and resource demands.

Originality/value: They conclude with examples of four themes for future research applications of audio diary studies: employability perceptions, mental health and well-being, ethical decision-making and corporate social responsibility awareness and innovation and entrepreneurial mindset development. These research avenues represent opportunities to promote a sustainable career trajectory for individuals and offer societal benefits via a sustainable career ecosystem.

Item Type:	Article
Journal / Publication Title:	Management Research Review
Publisher:	Emerald
ISSN:	2040-8277
Departments:	Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership > Business
Additional Information:	Maria Mouratidou, Lecturer in Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour, University of Cumbria, UK.
Depositing User:	Insight Administrator
SWORD Depositor:	Insight Administrator
Date Deposited:	08 Sep 2025 10:12
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2025 08:00
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/9012

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