Product Review
This concise, applied, and very clearly written introduction to qualitative research methods can be used effectively in a semester, or year-long course. The purpose of this introductory-level text is to provide the reader with a background for understanding the uses of qualitative research in education to examine its theoretical and historical underpinnings, and to provide the “how-to's†of doing qualitative research. This new edition places qualitative research within current debates about research methods and alternative ways of knowing. While the authors approach the subject from a sociological perspective, they also take care to reflect the many changes in conceptualization of qualitative research brought by post-structural and feminist thought.
- Provides strong coverage of applied and action research helping students relate research to classroom practice.
- Addresses the changes post-structural and feminist thought have had on qualitative research.
- Includes a glossary to assist student understanding of difficult terminology.
- Features Appendix B with examples of field notes, guides students who are new to field work.
- Incorporates numerous tables and photos that assist visual interpretation and understanding.
- Rewritten Chapter 5, “Data Analysis,” places more emphasis on the interpretive aspect of research and research writing.
- Expanded coverage of action or practitioner research (Ch. 7) highlights a topic that is of immediate use.
- An added emphasis on technology and qualitative analysis software in qualitative research helps students to use and incorporate technology efficiently. Links to useful research websites have also been integrated throughout.
- Expanded coverage of such topics as formal research designs, work with different cultures, critical race theory, and the debate over quantitative vs. qualitative research.
- New end of chapter summaries, questions and field assignments have been added to make this text easy to use with students.
