Thinking Diffractively with Data in Human Resource Development

Despite growing numbers of qualitative research studies published in human resource development (HRD), there is a limited scope of qualitative methodologies applied. When it comes to qualitative data analysis, coding-based analysis is the go-to analytical method in HRD. This article introduces diffractive analysis, a concept for data analysis that encourages new ways to consider the entanglement between data, theories, researchers, and the researched. This paper introduces the philosophical foundation of diffractive analysis that challenges reflection as the prominent metaphor for inquiry in HRD research and practice. Examples from empirical studies are presented to illustrate how data and theory can be read diffractively into each other to produce different knowledge in HRD. The differences diffractive analysis can potentially make in HRD include engaging with research philosophically, analyzing data diffractively, developing a performative understanding of the field, and strengthening researcher-practitioner partnership.