Full Description
This highly readable text demystifies the qualitative research process-and helps readers conceptualize their own studies-by organizing the different research paradigms and traditions into coherent clusters. Real-world examples and firsthand perspectives illustrate the research process; instructive exercises and activities build on each other so readers can develop their own proposals or reports as they work through the book. Provided are strategies for selecting a research topic, entering and exiting sites, and navigating the complexities of ethical issues and the researcher's role. Readers learn how to use a range of data collection methods-including observational strategies, interviewing, focus groups, e-mail and chat rooms, and arts-based media-and to manage, analyze, and report the resulting data. Useful pedagogical features include:*In-class and field activities to apply qualitative concepts.*Discussion questions, proposal development exercises, and reflexive journal activities.*Exemplary qualitative studies and two sample proposals.*Cautionary notes, or ""Wild Cards,"" about possible research pitfalls.*Tables that summarize concepts and present helpful tips.
Contents
I. Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry1. Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry* Chapter Preview* A Rationale for Qualitative Research* Characteristics of Qualitative Research* The Qualitative-Quantitative "Debate"* A Brief History of Qualitative Inquiry* Qualitative Inquiry Today: Applied Research in Clinical and Educational Settings* Building a Research Agenda* The Top 10 Points to Consider about Qualitative Research* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings2. Qualitative Research Paradigms and Traditions* Chapter Preview* A Cautionary Note* Philosophies of Science* Research Paradigms* Research Traditions* The Universal Tradition: Case Study* Experience and Theory Formulation: Grounded Theory, Phenomenology, Heuristic Inquiry, and Consensual Qualitative Research* The Meaning of Symbol and Text: Symbolic Interaction, Semiotics, Life History, Hermeneutics, and Narratology* Cultural Expressions of Process and Experience: Ethnography, Ethnomethodology, and Autoethnography* Research as a Change Agent: Participatory Action Research* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings3. Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research* Chapter Preview* A Case for Ethics in Qualitative Research* A Brief History of Research Ethics* Ethical Guidelines in Clinical and Educational Disciplines* Key Ethical Concepts in Qualitative Research* Additional Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Inquiry* Chapter Summary* Recommended ReadingsII. Qualitative Research Design4. Selecting a Topic* Chapter Preview* Selecting a Topic* Research Goals* Conceptual Framework* Purpose Statement* Research Questions* Is a Mixed Methods Approach Suitable?* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings5. Understanding the Researcher's Role* Chapter Preview* Researcher Reflexivity* Subjectivity in Qualitative Inquiry* "Voice" of Participants in Qualitative Research* Use of Peer Debriefers* To Use a Research Team-or Not?* Chapter Summar* Recommended Readings6. Entering the Field* Chapter Preview* Entering the Field* Choosing a Sampling Method* Purposeful Sampling Methods* Sample Size* Selecting and Entering a Site* Building Rapport with Gatekeepers, Stakeholders, and Key Informants* Exiting the Field* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings7. Maximizing Trustworthiness* Chapter Preview* What Is "Good" Research?* Validity and Qualitative Research* Role of the Researcher, Revisited* Criteria of Trustworthiness* Strategies of Trustworthiness* Considerations in Establishing Trustworthiness* Chapter Summary* Recommended ReadingsIII. Data Collection and Analysis8. Data Collection via Fieldwork, Interviewing, and Focus Groups* Chapter Preview* Linking Method to Research Design* Observations* Individual Interviews* Focus Group Interviews* Other Data Collection Considerations* Triangulating Individual and Focus Group Interview Data* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings9. Data Collection Using the Internet, Documents, or Arts-Based Methods* Chapter Preview* General Reminders about Selecting Data Collection Method(s)* Media as Method and Source of Data Collection* Using the Internet for Data Collection* Using Visual Methods for Data Collection* Using Written Materials for Data Collection* Using Other Documents for Data Collection* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings10. The Basics of Qualitative Data Management and Analysis* Chapter Preview* Qualitative Data Analysis* Steps of Qualitative Data Analysis* Coding Considerations* Additional "Generic" Strategies of Qualitative Data Analysis* Qualitative Data Management* Case Displays* Qualitative Software* Chapter Summary* Recommended Readings11. Qualitative Data Analysis by Research Tradition* Chapter Preview* General Thinking on Qualitative Data Analysis across Traditions* Qualitative Data Analysis with the Universal Tradition: The Case Study* Qualitative Data Analysis in Experience and Theory Formulation: Grounded Theory, ConsensualQualitative Research, Phenomenology, and Heuristic Inquiry* Qualitative Data Analysis with Symbol and Text: Narratology, Biography, and Hermeneutics* Qualitative Data Analysis of Cultural Expressions of Process and Experience: Ethnography,Ethnomethodology, and Autoethnography* Qualitative Data Analysis When Research Is a Change Agent: Participatory Action Research* Postscript: A Final Note on Qualitative Data Analysis* Chapter Summary* Recommended ReadingsIV. Presenting Your Qualitative Research12. Writing and Presenting Qualitative Research* Chapter Preview* Developing a Research Proposal* Writing a Quality Proposal* Writing the Research Report* Presenting Your Findings in Student and Professional Settings* Publishing your Findings* Chapter Summary* Recommended ReadingsAppendix A. Glossary of Key TermsAppendix B. Sample Qualitative Proposals
