Exploring causal relationships qualitatively: An empirical illustration of how causal relationships become visible across episodes and contexts

Abstract Causal relationships are traditionally examined in quantitative research. However, this article informs the discussion surrounding potential use of qualitative data to explore causal qualitatively through an empirical illustration a school leadership development team. As is supposed offer continuing practicing leaders, it brings into question issue relationships. This study analyzes audio and video recordings from 10 workshops involving team principals, municipality researchers who met over two years support principals leading local improvement program. The process organized episodes analyzed three layers causation interpretative layer, contradictory agentive layer grounded cultural-historical activity theory. When tracing problem statement across relating processes events principal practice, became visible contexts. argument, then, that results achieved processes. such, can reveal cannot.