Lecturers, click here to request an e-inspection copy of this text Qualitative Research Methods is based on the authors' highly successful multidisciplinary qualitative methods workshops, which have been conducted for over a decade. In this book the authors propose a 'qualitative research cycle' that leads students through the selection of appropriate methods, the collection of data and the transformation of findings into a finished project. It provides a clear explanation of the nature of qualitative research and its key concepts. Topics covered include: o formulating qualitative research questions o ethical issues o in-depth interviews o focus group discussions o observation o coding o data analysis o writing up qualitative research This text is ideal for any students taking a qualitative methods course or producing a qualitative research project at undergraduate or graduate level. It is illustrated throughout with case studies and field examples from a range of international contexts. The practical techniques are also accompanied by the author's own research tools including interview guides, real coded data and comprehensive research checklists.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION Introduction to the Book Who is This Book For? The Qualitative Research Cycle Structure of the Book Features of this Book The Nature of Qualitative Research What is Qualitative Research? When to Conduct Qualitative Research The Underlying Interpretive Paradigm Qualitative and Quantitative Research Verstehen and Understanding The Emic and Etic Perspective Subjectivity and The Need for Reflexivity Our Approach to Qualitative Research Evaluating quality PART ONE: THE DESIGN CYCLE The Design Cycle Introduction Formulating Qualitative Research Questions Incorporating Literature and Theory Developing a Conceptual Framework Selecting a Fieldwork Approach Evaluating Quality Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research Introduction What is Ethics? Ethics in Qualitative Research Ethical Issues in the Design Cycle Ethical Issues in the Ethnographic Cycle Ethical Issues in the Analytic Cycle Evaluating quality PART TWO: THE ETHNOGRAPHIC CYCLE Participant Recruitment What is Participant Recruitment? Defining and Refining the Study Population How Many to Recruit: The Principle of Saturation Recruitment Goals Strategies for Participant Recruitment Evaluating quality In-Depth Interviews What is an In-Depth Interview? When to Conduct an In-Depth Interview Purpose of an In-Depth Interview The Cyclical Nature of Data Collection Developing an Interview Guide Preparing for Data Collection Reflecting on Subjectivity and Positionality Conducting the Interview Strengths and Limitations Evaluating Quality Focus Group Discussions What is a Focus Group Discussion? When to Conduct Focus Group Discussions The Cyclical Nature of Data Collection Developing the Discussion Guide Preparing for Data Collection Conducting the Focus Group Discussion Post-Discussion Information Strengths and Limitations Evaluating quality Observation What is Observation? When to Conduct Observation What to Observe Types of Observation Preparing and Conduct of Observation Writing an Observation Strengths and Limitations Evaluating Quality PART THREE: THE ANALYTIC CYCLE Data Preparation and Developing Codes Introduction The Nature of Qualitative Data Analysis Our Approach to Analysis Foundations of Grounded Theory Data Preparation Developing Codes Making a Codebook Coding Data Evaluating Quality Textual Data Analysis Introduction Formulating a Project-Specific Plan of Analysis Searching Data The Cyclical Process of Analysis Thick Description Comparison Categorizing and Conceptualizing Theory Development Evaluating Quality Writing Qualitative Research Writing in Qualitative Research Who is the Audience? Structure of Writing Beginning to Write Writing a Methodology Presenting Qualitative Results Evaluating Quality