Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods

by Michael Quinn Patton

The book that has been a resource and training tool for countless applied researchers, evaluators, and graduate students has been completely revised with hundreds of new examples and stories illuminating all aspects of qualitative inquiry. Patton has created the most comprehensive, systematic and up-to-date review of qualitative methods available. Patton has retained and expanded upon the Exhibits that highlight and summarize major issues and guidelines, the summative sections, tables, and figures as well as the sage advice of the Sufi Master, Halcolm. This revision will help readers integrate and make sense of the great volume of qualitative works published in the past decade. 

Genres: Research Methods, Research, Qualitative Research, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Psychology, Reference

688 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1980

Reviews

[Yeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is a textbook, it is definitely a good read. It is written in an interesting way, and it is useful, as well.

[Sayge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nonprofit that I used to work at brought M.Q. Patton in to provide a 2-day training on developmental evaluation. That was like 20 years ago. I had no idea who he was but was awestruck by his wit, his mind, and his expertise. Working toward my Ph.D. All these years later I find I enjoy his writing just as much as I did his teaching.

This isn't a book that has been helpful at every stage of planning research for my dissertation. But it is probably the one I reach for most often when I have a fundamental question or am seeking advice/insight. He's brilliant, uses wonderful metaphors, is sometimes funny and always easy to relate to. In other words, this book provides a much needed break from some of the more dry works I am also using. It is heavy on evaluation and so examples he provides are not always relevant to basic (rather than applied) research.

I wish that 30 year old me had an inkling of who her teacher was--she probably would have paid closer attention!

[M.R. Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LIKE this one. Very useful.

[Tobi ﾄﾋﾞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

(i only read the sampling chapter p169-186) it was very good

[Pamela]

This is a great reference book for evaluation methods. Another book published by this author is "Practical Evaluation" (1982) is still helpful to my work today. "Practical evaluation" is likely out of print, but may be available in a public library. Either book is a must for evaluation and research professionals.

[Rick Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Psychometricians try to measure it,
Experimentalists try to control it,
Interviewers ask questions about it,
Observers watch it,
Participants observers do it,
Statisticians count it,
Evaluators value it,
Qualitative inquirers find meaning in it"

A Great book for qualitative methods particularly used for Social science research.

This book was intriguing.
I was mainly exposed to only quantitive methods or methods involving natural science.
Yet, we need qualitative methods when we are faced with, "How do we find meaning out of this qualitative dataset"

I highly recommend this work.

[David Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A text book, cannot give it 5 stars.

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some quotes and exercises useful, but the overall structure of the book doesn't match how I prefer to teach qual methods. I wouldn't use this as a required text.

[Alan Winter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very difficult read without prior knowledge of qualitative and quantitative studies. Very verbose that could possibly been reduced it seemed very repetitive. Read for a class.

[Dennis Friedrichsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A giant tome of a book, but written with wit and humour. It is difficult to make more than 800 pages of qualitative research methodology interesting (and even funny), but Patton does a great job.

[Hannah]

I haven't yet succumbed to the Michael Quinn Patton Kool-aid, but I'm curious about the last chapter, "Enhancing the Quality and Credibility of Qualitative Analysis," as a starting point for articulated industry standards on appropriate practice.

[Savitha]

It's a classic!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I am a huge dork, but I really like this book so far! Patton is hilarious, and he has really interesting examples. I definitely want to use Qualitative research for my dissertation.

[Dinda blekedot · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a "novel" research book!
but I can't read the whole pages. really need this book,anyone want to share?

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My bible too!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

great textbook

[Kari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting enough if I had time to think about it, but doesn't apply to my current research.

[Maria Mcduffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful!!! Loved it! I could really relate to the examples and it helped me through re-planning of method design.

[Hanna Douaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voisin käyttää uudestaankin ;-)

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. If you only bought one qual research methods book I would recommend this one. Patton is such a lovely writer he makes it an enjoyable read.

[Evan James · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be honest, I only read a handful of chapters. I found those few chapters to be very useful.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful analysis done on a challenging, at times daunting subject of inquiry.

[Laurie Neighbors · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have literally read this thing cover to cover -- and I have it in both hardcover and as an e-book. Lordy.