Using Qualitative Methods in Psychology

The authors analyze the observational methods which historically form the basis of the field of psychology. They go on to address topics such as: validity and reliability, training issues, ethics, and use of qualitative computer programmes. In the second part, issues related to the application of qualitative methods are considered, for example HIV//AIDS, feminist perspectives, vocational, and adolescent development.

The field of psychology has been characterized by an interesting schism in the area of research methods. The promotion of the scientific method and the emphasis on experimental methodology helped give psychology an identity as a hard science and legitimacy as a discipline. Yet from the beginning, observations of behavior formed the very basis of the field of psychology. Psychologists such as Freud and Piaget used observational qualitative methods to form their theories –which continue to be major cornerstones of contemporary psychology. Editors Mary Kopala and Lisa A. Suzuki have collected a series of essays that help to consider the philosophical foundations for conducting qualitative research in psychological settings, as well as illustrating the application of those methods. Broad-based and inclusive, Using Qualitative Methods in Psychology examines such topics as multicultural issues, supervision, program evaluation, teaching qualitative research, ethics, and therapeutic settings. Using Qualitative Methods in Psychology will be a crucial addition to the libraries of teachers and researchers interested in psychological research methods writ large, and especially to those interested in qualitative research methods.

SECTION ONE: FOUNDATIONAL ISSUES IN QUALITATIVE METHODS
PART ONE: THE PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Qualitative Research - David L Rennie
A Matter of Hermaneutics and the Sociology of Knowledge
Locating the Qualitative Research Genre - Lisa Tsoi Hoshmand
An Exploration of Quality in Qualitative Research - Elizabeth Merrick
Are `Reliability′ and `Validity′ Relevant?
The Role of the Qualitative Researcher - Daniel Sciarra
Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives in a Research Identity - Joseph G Ponterotto and Ingrid Grieger
PART TWO: PRACTICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR CONDUCTING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Ethics in Qualitative Research - Cori Cieurzo and Merle A Keitel
The Internet and Qualitative Research - Patricia O′Brien Libutti
Opportunities and Constraints on Analysis of Cyberspace Discourse
Teaching Qualitative Research in Psychology - Sally D Stabb
Designing Qualitative Research Reports for Publication - Constance T Fischer
SECTION TWO: APPLYING QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY
PART THREE: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN A CULTURAL CONTEXT
Exploring Mulitcultural Issues Using Qualitative Methods - Lisa A Suzuki et al
Qualitative Methods for an Outsider Looking In - Nancy Salkin Asher and Kenneth Chavinson Asher
Lesbian Women and Body Image
Friendship Patterns Among Urban Adolescent Boys - Niobe Way and Kerstin Pahl
A Qualitative Account
PART FOUR: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN A THERAPEUTIC CONTEXT
Capturing the Process of Family Therapy as Social Meaning Construction - Joy M Tanji
Using a Qualitative Method to Study Clinical Supervision - Virginia O′Brien and Mary Kopala
What is Effective Clinical Supervision?
Relationship-Based Change - Michelle Maher
PART FIVE: QUALITATIVE METHODS IN ACTION RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
The Use of Focus Groups Within a Participatory Action Research Environment - John O′Neill, Barbara B Small and John Strachan
Qualitative Research in Program Evaluation - Leo Goldman
Afterword - Mary Kopala and Lisa A Suzuki