Full Description
Accessible, practical, and packed with indispensable advice, this bestselling textbook is the perfect hands-on guide for any student embarking on their own research. With expert advice from the author and real-life experiences from students, this book shows you how to go from the ideas of research to the practicalities of designing, conducting, and writing about your research yourself. What's new in this edition:* Fully interactive digital field guide including video tutorials and real data to practice with* An improved structure that takes you step-by-step form start to finish * An overview and practical guidance on mixed methods and working with different kinds of dataThe free digital field guide secures its place as the 'take this everywhere' textbook that supports students both in the classroom and in the field providing access via tablet/phone/laptop for easy access to:- A readymade bibliography of qualitative research contained in SAGE journal articles curated by the author, to enrich reading and offer top research articles to cite;- Definitions to explain key concepts and methods to deepen understanding of what is discussed in the text;- David's quick, practical video tips and instructional guidance for when students are in the field (or preparing to go into it). David steps in as an instant supervisor to give encouragement and avoid common pitfalls;- A treasure chest of online resources and weblinks chosen by David offering expert guidance on how to do research and do it better. These include research websites and resources as well as insider guides from trusted experts, links to organizations/software, online text/articles;- Datasets provide students with research data on which to practice organizing, analysing, and drawing conclusions; -'Cheat sheets' and reflective trackers students can use to monitor their progress and plan and manage projects. *Interactivity only available through Vitalsource eBook included as part of paperback product (ISBN 9781526441614). Access not guaranteed on second-hand copies (as access code may have previously been redeemed).
Contents
Part OneChapter 1: How To Use This BookChapter 2: What You Can (and Can't) Do with Qualitative ResearchWhy Do Researchers Use Qualitative Methods?Are Qualitative Methods Always Appropriate?Should You Use Qualitative Methods?Chapter 3: Focusing a Research ProjectMoira's Research DiarySally's Research DiarySimon's Research DiaryPart Two: Starting Out and Project FoundationsChapter 4: Ethical ResearchThe Standards of Ethical ResearchWhy Ethics Matter for Your ResearchEthical Guidelines in PracticeComplex Ethical IssuesResearch GovernanceManaging Unfolding Ethical DemandsChapter 5: What Counts as 'Originality'?OriginalityBeing a ProfessionalIndependent Critical ThoughtChapter 6: Research DesignInterviewsEthnographiesTextsThe InternetAudio DataVisual DataMixed MethodsChapter 7: Using TheoriesHow Theoretical Models Shape ResearchThe Different Languages of Qualitative ResearchTheories, Models and HypothesesExamplesChapter 8: Formulating a Research QuestionChallengesSolutionsSome CautionsChapter 9: Choosing a MethodologyQualitative or Quantitative?Your Research StrategyChoosing a Methodology: a Case StudyNaturally Occurring Data?Mixed Methods?Chapter 10: Writing a Research ProposalAim for Crystal ClarityPlan Before You WriteBe PersuasiveBe PracticalMake Broader LinksA Caution: Misunderstanding Qualitative Research?Part Three: Getting SupportMaking Good Use of Your SupervisorSupervision Horror StoriesStudent and Supervisor ExpectationsThe Early StagesThe Later StagesStandards of Good PracticeChapter 12: Getting FeedbackWritingSpeakingThe Art of Presenting ResearchFeedback from the People You StudyPart Four: Collecting and Analysing DataChapter 13: How many cases do you need?What is a case study?The Quantitative Model of GeneralizationThe Rationale of Case Study DesignCase study Research in PracticeChapter 14: Collecting Your DataCollecting Interview DataCollecting Focus Group DataCollecting Ethnographic DataCollecting Internet DataChapter 15: Developing Data AnalysisKick-Starting Data AnalysisA Case StudyInterviewsFieldnotesTranscriptsVisual DataChapter 16: Using Computers to Analyse Qualitative DataA note on learning to use QDA softwareWhat QDA software can do for youAdvantages of QDA softwareText analyticsChapter 17: Quality in Qualitative ResearchValidityReliabilityChapter 18: Evaluating Qualitative ResearchTwo Guides for Evaluating ResearchFour Quality CriteriaApplying Quality CriteriaFour Quality Issues RevisitedChapter 19: Effective Qualitative ResearchKeep It SimpleDo Not Assume That We Are Only Concerned with Subjective ExperienceTake Advantage of Using Qualitative DataAvoid Drowning in DataAvoid JournalismPart Five: Writing Up Your ResearchChapter 20: AudiencesThe Policy-Making AudienceThe Practitioner AudienceThe Lay AudienceChapter 21: The First Few PagesThe TitleThe AbstractKeywordsThe Table of ContentsChapter 22: The Literature Review ChapterRecording Your ReadingWriting your Literature ReviewPractical QuestionsPrinciplesDo You Need a Literature Review Chapter?Chapter 23: The Methodology ChapterWhat Should the Methodology Chapter Contain?A Natural History Chapter?Chapter 24: The Data ChaptersThe MacrostructureThe MicrostructureTightening UpChapter 25: The Concluding ChapterThe Concluding Chapter as Mutual StimulationWhat Exactly Should Your Concluding Chapter Contain?Confessions and TrumpetsTheorizing as Thinking Through DataWriting for AudiencesWhy Your Concluding Chapter can be FunPart Six: The AftermathChapter 26: Surviving an Oral ExaminationViva Horror StoriesPreparing for Your OralDoing the OralOutcomesRevising Your Thesis after the OralA Case StudyChapter 27: Getting PublishedThe Backstage Politics of PublishingStrategic ChoicesWhat Journals are Looking ForReviewers' CommentsHow to Write a Short Journal Article
