1st Edition

Qualitative Research The Essential Guide to Theory and Practice

    608 Pages 95 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Qualitative Research: The Essential Guide to Theory and Practice provides a one-stop resource for all those approaching qualitative research for the first time, as well as those revisiting core concepts and issues. It presents a comprehensive overview of this rapidly developing field of inquiry, cleverly combined with practical, hands-on advice on how to conduct a successful qualitative study.

    Written in an engaging and accessible style, the authors break through difficult terminology to guide readers through the choices they will face during research design, implementation, and beyond. Each chapter is then brought to life by an array of relevant, real-life examples from expert researchers around the globe.

    Divided into seven sections, this unique text covers:

    • Considering perspectives
    • Acknowledging a position
    • Framing the study
    • Choosing a research approach
    • Collecting data
    • Working with data and findings
    • Writing about the research

    From the foundations of the subject through to its application in practice, Qualitative Research: The Essential Guide to Theory and Practice is an indispensable companion for qualitative researchers worldwide.

    VAT will be charged on this product for UK customers only. VAT is charged at standard rate on a part of this product only.

    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

    Biography

    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.

    "The book is written in a clear, accessible style in a way which demystifies the sometimes complex research philosophy and theory. The chapters include useful illustration that help to conceptualize the narrative, as well as researcher reflections which offer real examples of the research theory in practice for the reader to consider. […] In addition to the reflections, there are boxes with tips offering practical advice, as well as reflective questions to help prompt a spirit of enquiry, and lists of useful resources for further reading. This makes for an interesting and engaging text—how often can one say that about a research text?" – Karen Strickland, Edinburgh Napier University, Educational Developments