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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 authors own research tools including interview guides, real coded data and comprehensive research checklists.

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