I. Foundations of Qualitative Inquiry
1. Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry
• Chapter Preview
• A Rationale for Qualitative Research
• Characteristics of Qualitative Research
• The Qualitative–Quantitative “Debate”
• A Brief History of Qualitative Inquiry
• Qualitative Inquiry Today: Applied Research in Clinical and Educational Settings
• Building a Research Agenda
• The Top 10 Points to Consider about Qualitative Research
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
2. Qualitative Research Paradigms and Traditions
• Chapter Preview
• A Cautionary Note
• Philosophies of Science
• Research Paradigms
• Research Traditions
• The Universal Tradition: Case Study
• Experience and Theory Formulation: Grounded Theory, Phenomenology, Heuristic Inquiry, and Consensual Qualitative Research
• The Meaning of Symbol and Text: Symbolic Interaction, Semiotics, Life History, Hermeneutics, and Narratology
• Cultural Expressions of Process and Experience: Ethnography, Ethnomethodology, and Autoethnography
• Research as a Change Agent: Participatory Action Research
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
3. Ethical Issues in Qualitative Research
• Chapter Preview
• A Case for Ethics in Qualitative Research
• A Brief History of Research Ethics
• Ethical Guidelines in Clinical and Educational Disciplines
• Key Ethical Concepts in Qualitative Research
• Additional Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Inquiry
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
II. Qualitative Research Design
4. Selecting a Topic
• Chapter Preview
• Selecting a Topic
• Research Goals
• Conceptual Framework
• Purpose Statement
• Research Questions
• Is a Mixed Methods Approach Suitable?
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
5. Understanding the Researcher’s Role
• Chapter Preview
• Researcher Reflexivity
• Subjectivity in Qualitative Inquiry
• “Voice” of Participants in Qualitative Research
• Use of Peer Debriefers
• To Use a Research Team—or Not?
• Chapter Summar
• Recommended Readings
6. Entering the Field
• Chapter Preview
• Entering the Field
• Choosing a Sampling Method
• Purposeful Sampling Methods
• Sample Size
• Selecting and Entering a Site
• Building Rapport with Gatekeepers, Stakeholders, and Key Informants
• Exiting the Field
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
7. Maximizing Trustworthiness
• Chapter Preview
• What Is “Good” Research?
• Validity and Qualitative Research
• Role of the Researcher, Revisited
• Criteria of Trustworthiness
• Strategies of Trustworthiness
• Considerations in Establishing Trustworthiness
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
III. Data Collection and Analysis
8. Data Collection via Fieldwork, Interviewing, and Focus Groups
• Chapter Preview
• Linking Method to Research Design
• Observations
• Individual Interviews
• Focus Group Interviews
• Other Data Collection Considerations
• Triangulating Individual and Focus Group Interview Data
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
9. Data Collection Using the Internet, Documents, or Arts-Based Methods
• Chapter Preview
• General Reminders about Selecting Data Collection Method(s)
• Media as Method and Source of Data Collection
• Using the Internet for Data Collection
• Using Visual Methods for Data Collection
• Using Written Materials for Data Collection
• Using Other Documents for Data Collection
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
10. The Basics of Qualitative Data Management and Analysis
• Chapter Preview
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Steps of Qualitative Data Analysis
• Coding Considerations
• Additional “Generic” Strategies of Qualitative Data Analysis
• Qualitative Data Management
• Case Displays
• Qualitative Software
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
11. Qualitative Data Analysis by Research Tradition
• Chapter Preview
• General Thinking on Qualitative Data Analysis across Traditions
• Qualitative Data Analysis with the Universal Tradition: The Case Study
• Qualitative Data Analysis in Experience and Theory Formulation: Grounded Theory, Consensual
Qualitative Research, Phenomenology, and Heuristic Inquiry
• Qualitative Data Analysis with Symbol and Text: Narratology, Biography, and Hermeneutics
• Qualitative Data Analysis of Cultural Expressions of Process and Experience: Ethnography,
Ethnomethodology, and Autoethnography
• Qualitative Data Analysis When Research Is a Change Agent: Participatory Action Research
• Postscript: A Final Note on Qualitative Data Analysis
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
IV. Presenting Your Qualitative Research
12. Writing and Presenting Qualitative Research
• Chapter Preview
• Developing a Research Proposal
• Writing a Quality Proposal
• Writing the Research Report
• Presenting Your Findings in Student and Professional Settings
• Publishing your Findings
• Chapter Summary
• Recommended Readings
Appendix A. Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix B. Sample Qualitative Proposals