Fundamentals of Qualitative Research

by Johnny Saldaña, Patricia Leavy (Editor)

Fundamentals of Qualitative Research approaches qualitative inquiry as a strategically selected composite of genres, elements, and styles. Saldaña, author of the bestselling book, The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers, brings clear writing and explanatory prowess to this new textbook for learning the fundamentals of qualitative research methods.This book presents a concise yet rigorous description of how to design and conduct fieldwork projects and how to examine data in multiple ways for interpretive insight. Saldaña, a master teacher and qualitative data analyst, acquaints readers with the major genres of qualitative research available and the elements of interviewing, participant observation, and other data collection methods to inform emergent research design decisions. An extended chapter on qualitative data analysis is one of the book's unique features. Saldaña devotes necessary coverage to conceptual foundations, coding, analytic memo writing, thematic analysis, assertion development, grounded theory, narrative and poetic inquiry, and ethnodramatic approaches to the data. Eight distinctive styles of qualitative writing are presented. The book concludes with a list of recommended readings in the field, as well as additional resources on organizations and associations dedicated to qualitative research.Fundamentals of Qualitative Research is an ideal introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in education, sociology, psychology, anthropology, human communication, and health care.

Genres: Reference

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Bogi Takács · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, easy to read intro to qualitative research. As a very quantitative person, this really opened my eyes to the possibilities of qualitative studies. ("You mean I can do this? And this? And this too?! And some people write POETRY?") It goes by fast, but it also has nice pointers on what to read next - I think I'll read his book on coding which was already recommended to me, and some books focusing on the specifics of my study being planned.

There were a few annoying bits ("You mean some people do THAT?!"), but I suppose I don't have to be a fan of all qualitative research, ever. The coding examples were sometimes strange to me, but since he has an entire separate book on the topic, I reserve judgment until after I've read that one too; this is just a brief overview of the field.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 4's contents on coding are especially helpful.

[Law Rence · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to read