Doing Qualitative Research

Margaret Anzul, Margot Ely, Teri Freidman, Diane Garner, Ann McCormack-Steinmetz

This is designed for those learning qualitative research and those more advanced in the field. It focuses on understanding both the cognitive processes of qualitative research and the affective "feel" engendered.

Part 1 Grounding. Part 2 Starting: introduction; the beginning; expectations; entering the field as an on-going proposition; what was that question again?; letting go; trusting the process; the support group; the tie that binds; analytic memo about chapter 2. Part 3 Doing: introduction; participant observation; what was that question again?; interviewing; logs; videotaping and audiotaping, on-going data analysis; leaving the field; establishing trustworthiness; support group; the life line; analytic memo about chapter 3. Part 4 Feeling: introduction; facing the fears; emotional connections; self-awareness; making the familiar unfamiliar; making the unfamiliar familiar; is qualitative research for you?; analytic memo about chapter 4. Part 5 Interpreting: the final analysis of data; return to trustworthiness; making the story; analytic memo about chapter 5. Part 6 Reflecting: introduction; learning by doing qualitative research can become a powerful process that is often described in vital metaphors; as qualitative researchers we become aware of ourselves as contingent, transactional, open to change as way of life; the process of qualitative research also become processes of professional growth; qualitative researchers often feel as though they are shouting across a paradigmatic rift; qualitative research is value laden work and ethical concerns are woven through every aspect of it.