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Qualitative research is a growing field of inquiry. Despite the growth in use of the approach however, up until now no one text has provided those new to conducting qualitative research with a practical "nuts and bolts" guide to conducting a qualitative research study and writing up the results. This book provides beginning researchers with both an overview of qualitative research and practical advice and guidance about how to conduct a qualitative study. The booka (TM)s focus enables researchers to choose the most appropriate methodology by providing them with underpinning theory in a practical way alongside specific examples and proven tips. Beginning by exploring the key differences between qualitative and quantitative research the authors clearly explain the specific features of qualitative research and importantly clarify what qualitative research isna (TM)t. The book then guides beginning researchers though each stage of the research process identifying:
- The primary goals of qualitative research
- Challenges of qualitative research
- Researcher responsibilities and the ethics of research
- The rights and responsibilities of participants
- Approaches to data collection
- Selecting a research design
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Managing the findings
Broad in scope yet practical in approach this book will serve the needs of beginning researchers in many social science disciplines and will be of particular interest to those working in health, medicine, education, social work, business and other fields that seek to develop and use diverse qualitative approaches.
List of contents
Part 1: Considering perspectives 1. Qualitative research 2. A brief history of philosophical perspectives 3. Research choices and lenses Part 2: Acknowledging a position 4. Philosophical stance 5. Personal stance, positionality and reflexivity Part 3: Framing the study 6. The 'who' or 'what' of study 7. Research questions 8. Literature review 9. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks Part 4: Choosing a research approach 10. Case study 11. Pragmatic qualitative research 12. Grounded theory 13. Ethnography 14. Phenomenology 15. Narrative approaches 16. Action research 17. Collaborative approaches 18. Evaluation 19. Art-based approaches Part 5: Collecting data 20. Time, place and participants 21. Ethics and ethical approval 22. Fieldwork 23. Interviews 24. Focus groups 25. Observation 26. Documents Part 6: Working with data and findings 27. Data handling and coding 28. Data analysis 29. Data Interpretation 30. Quality Part 7: Writing about the research 31. Researcher voice 32. The research report
About the author
Maggi Savin-Baden is Professor of Higher Education Research at Coventry University, UK. Claire Howell Major is Professor of Higher Education at the University of Alabama, US.
