The Practice of Qualitative Research: Engaging Students in the Research Process

by Sharlene Hesse Biber

The Practice of Qualitative Research guides readers step by step through the process of collecting, analyzing, designing, and interpreting qualitative research. Written by Sharlene Nagy Hesse-Biber in an engaging style, this student-centered text offers invaluable insights into the practice of qualitative research, with coverage of in-depth interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, case study, and mixed methods research. The Third Edition features even more integrated attention to online research and implications of social media throughout all methods chapters; updates on qualitative analysis software; and significantly expanded coverage of ethics.

Genres: Textbooks, Research

432 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2016

Reviews

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the curriculum of a graduate course in qualitative research methods, which seems appropriate. ;) I found this book to be incredibly useful, as the frequent application of highlighter ink to the contents indicates. I expect that I will refer back to this book often in the future as I have more opportunities to participate in qualitative research.

I thought that the frequent references to the overall structure and flow of qualitative research projects was very useful for ingraining this process into my memory and understanding. It is clear to me that the author thinks it is very important that the reader learn that research questions drive research methods. I thought that part 2, which outlines different qualitative methods, was particularly useful because it gave both general descriptions and helpful details about each method presented.

I was distracted by what I felt was gratuitous use of stock imagery and unnecessary diagrams. This book is designed to be a text for an introductory class in the topic so I think that the images and diagrams were inserted to make it feel more like a textbook, which I didn't think added value. The sidebars, on the other had, were interesting and informative for me.

[Jennifer]

Read this for grad school, but I only read about 1/2 of it. This would’ve been helpful if I had taken a qualitative research class earlier in my doctoral program—or during my master’s. But I’m keeping the book in case I need to refer to terminology definitions.

[A.J. Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource for qualitative researchers. I just wish there were much more information about phenomenological research. Hesse-Biber really knows the topic inside and out.

[Claire Hanrahan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to get through. But informative.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the most scintillating read, but interesting and informative.

[Mills College Library]

001.42 H5871 2017