Qualitative Insights into the Complexity of Calling: Moving Beyond Quantitative Boundaries

Introduction

Since the early 2000s, researchers in psychology and vocational studies examined the concepts of calling and living a calling, with most studies utilizing quantitative designs. For example, a review of 59 articles in 2024 found that 68% reported quantitative findings, while only 12% presented empirical qualitative research. This dominance of quantitative methods may shape how calling is studied, understood, and represented in models and theoretical frameworks such as Work as Calling Theory (WCT). However, constructs like calling are comprised of more than what can be quantified, with qualitative approaches facilitating deeper insights into personal motivations and experiences.

Goals and Methods

This study employed qualitative heuristic inquiry to offer a diverse perspective to the calling research. Using Moustakas's heuristic design, as refined by Sultan, I explored the experiences of eight U.S. individuals living their callings in organizational change contexts. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, creative artifacts, archival materials, and the researcher as instrument, and analyzed according to Moustakas's eight-step process. Visual techniques such as sketch notes and digital collages were also employed to clarify themes and synthesize findings.

Results

Three key findings contradicted the WCT: (1) participants (co-researchers) experienced multiple callings throughout their lives, (2) job or career context was irrelevant to living their callings, and (3) co-researchers described their callings as dynamic, evolving, and symbiotic relationships, contrasting with static definitions in the literature. Co-researchers described their callings at work in the world rather than viewing work as a calling.

Conclusions

Quantitative research can overlook the experiential nuances of living one's calling. This study demonstrated the value of qualitative methods in revealing a richer understanding of the construct while suggesting novel variables and directions for future research. Embracing quantitative and qualitative designs while releasing work-centric parameters for calling may open promising avenues for future exploration.