Practical and straightforward, this book is a multidisciplinary introduction to the process of planning, conducting and analysing qualitative research, from selecting appropriate methods to publishing your findings. Built around the authors’ Qualitative Research Cycle – consisting of the design, data collection and analytic cycles – this pragmatic guide clearly demonstrates the steps you need to take to ensure your research is rigorous and robust. Drawing on decades of experience teaching workshops, the book is packed with techniques and tools to help you turn theory and method into research practice. This second edition: Showcases the importance of linking research design to data analysis, helping you avoid potential pitfalls and get the most out of your data Highlights the relevance and wide application of qualitative methods with an array of international examples of real field research and interdisciplinary case studies Gives clear guidance on writing qualitative research, including how to respond to critiques of qualitative methods Has a renewed focus on evaluating quality in qualitative research, ensuring your work is valid, reflexive and ethical Offering tried and tested research tools like interview guides that you can apply to your own projects and supported by online resources including checklists and reflective questions, this book is the perfect companion for anyone looking to complete a successful project using qualitative research methods.  

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction to the book Who is this book for? The qualitative research cycle Structure of the book Features of this book Chapter 2: 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 perspectives Subjectivity and the need for reflexivity Our approach to qualitative research Evaluating quality Part I: The design cycle Chapter 3: The design cycle Formulating qualitative research questions Incorporating literature and theory Developing a conceptual framework Selecting qualitative research methods Evaluating quality Chapter 4: Designing participatory research Our participatory approach to qualitative research The participatory design cycle The participatory approach in data collection and analysis Different roles of the researcher Evaluating quality Chapter 5: Ethical issues in qualitative research What is ethics? Ethics in qualitative research Ethical issues in the design cycle Ethical issues in the data collection cycle Ethical issues in the analytic cycle Evaluating quality Part II: The data collection cycle Chapter 6: Sampling and participant recruitment What is purposive sampling? Purposive sampling process? Participant recruitment strategies How many participants? The principle of saturation Evaluating quality Chapter 7: In-depth interviews What is an in-depth interview? When to use in-depth interviews Purpose of an in-depth interview The cyclical nature of data collection Developing an interview guide Preparing for data collection Conducting the interview: skills of the interviewer Strengths and limitations Evaluating quality Chapter 8: Focus group discussions What is a focus group discussion? When to use focus group discussions The cyclical nature of data collection Developing the discussion guide Preparing for data collection Conducting focus group discussions Post-discussion information Virtual focus groups Strengths and limitations Evaluating quality Chapter 9: Observation What is observation? When to conduct observation The cyclical nature of data collection What to observe Types of observation Preparation and conducting an observation Writing an observation Strengths and limitations Evaluating quality Part III: The analytic cycle Chapter 10: Data preparation and developing codes Different approaches to textual data analysis The nature of qualitative data analysis Textual data preparation Developing codes Making a codebook Coding data Using software in qualitative analysis Evaluating quality Writing the manuscript or report Chapter 11: Textual data analysis After you write Developing an analysis plan Searching data The cyclical process of analysis Description Comparison Categorizing and conceptualizing Theory development Evaluating quality Chapter 12: From analysis to participatory action From analysis to participatory action The overall participatory qualitative research cycle The different roles of the researcher Evaluating quality Chapter 13: Academic writing of qualitative research Writing qualitative research Before you write Writing a qualitative research article After you write Responding to critiques of qualitative research Evaluating quality Post Script: Assessing quality in the qualitative research cycle