Qualitative Research

The bestselling guide to qualitative research, updated and expanded Qualitative Research is the essential guide to understanding, designing, conducting, and presenting a qualitative research study. This fourth edition features new material covering mixed methods, action research, arts-based research, online data sources, and the latest in data analysis, including data analysis software packages as well as narrative and poetic analysis strategies. A new section offers multiple ways of presenting qualitative research findings. The reader-friendly, jargon-free style makes this book accessible to both novice and experienced researchers, emphasizing the role of a theoretical framework in designing a study while providing practical guidance. Qualitative research reaches beyond the what, where, and when of quantitative analysis to investigate the why and how behind human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior, but this presents a number of significant challenges. This guide is an invaluable reference for students and practitioners alike, providing the deep understanding that this sometimes difficult area of research requires to produce accurate results. The book contains a step-by-step guide to analyzing qualitative data and an addendum for graduate students with a template for a thesis, dissertation, or grant application. Build a strong foundation in qualitative research theory and application Design and implement effective qualitative research studies Communicate findings more successfully with clear presentation Explore data sources, data analysis tools, and the different types of research

The bestselling guide to qualitative research, updated and expandedQualitative Research is the essential guide to understanding, designing, conducting, and presenting a qualitative research study. This fourth edition features new material covering mixed methods, action research, arts-based research, online data sources, and the latest in data analysis, including data analysis software packages as well as narrative and poetic analysis strategies. A new section offers multiple ways of presenting qualitative research findings. The reader-friendly, jargon-free style makes this book accessible to both novice and experienced researchers, emphasizing the role of a theoretical framework in designing a study while providing practical guidance.Qualitative research reaches beyond the what, where, and when of quantitative analysis to investigate the why and how behind human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior, but this presents a number of significant challenges. This guide is an invaluable reference for students and practitioners alike, providing the deep understanding that this sometimes difficult area of research requires to produce accurate results. The book contains a step-by-step guide to analyzing qualitative data and an addendum for graduate students with a template for a thesis, dissertation, or grant application.* Build a strong foundation in qualitative research theory and application* Design and implement effective qualitative research studies* Communicate findings more successfully with clear presentation* Explore data sources, data analysis tools, and the different types of research

Preface ixThe Authors xviiPart One: the Design of Qualitative Research 11 What Is Qualitative Research? 32 Six Common Qualitative Research Designs 223 Expanding the Qualitative Paradigm: Mixed Methods, Action, Critical, and Arts Based Research 434 Designing Your Study and Selecting a Sample 73Part Two: Collecting Qualitative Data 1055 Conducting Effective Interviews 1076 Being a Careful Observer 1377 Mining Data from Documents and Artifacts 162Part Three: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Data 1918 Qualitative Data Analysis 1959 Dealing with Validity, Reliability, and Ethics 23710 Writing Up Qualitative Research 267Appendix: The Methodology Section of a Qualitative Research Study 293Sharan B. MerriamReferences 301Name Index 323Subject Index 331