Color Study Researcher's Auto-Ethnography on the Learning Experience of Qualitative Research Methodology

This study is my auto-ethnography of the experience of taking a lecture on qualitative research methodology to examine the applicability of qualitative research methodology in the field of Color Science. Through a literature review, the definition of qualitative research methodology, philosophical paradigms, comparison between quantitative and qualitative research, and types of qualitative research methods were summarized. I also analyzed trends in the field of Color studies. I attended five lectures on qualitative research methodology in 2023 and 2024, and collected, transcribed, and cataloged the content of the lectures by recording, organizing, reflecting, journaling, and photographing the activities. I also recorded my learning experience based on messages and reflections with my classmates. I had my classmate review this article to verify research ethics and validity. As a result, researchers (course participants) who had doubts about the results of quantitative research were able to confirm the applicability of qualitative research methodology in the field of Color studies. First, research in art and design that evokes emotional responses provides a basis for creative and new experimentation or evaluates creative outcomes. Hence, majority preferences or average results are not always desirable. Second, the experience of an individual, such as a color researcher, educator, administrator, or artist, can be an excellent reflection and meaningful theory in the field of Color, such as the auto-ethnography attempted on me. Third, qualitative research methodology can fully utilize the capabilities of the Color Society as a multidisciplinary society to maximize the potential for interdisciplinary research, such as art and psychology, literature and design, politics and color works, science and sociology. I hope that this article, which summarizes the experience of learning qualitative research methodology in an auto-ethnography, will serve as a research case that can challenge researchers who do not know or have difficulty with qualitative research methodology as a new research method.