Writing Up Qualitative Research

by Harry F. Wolcott

Wolcott has thoroughly revised the book that has provided a solution to this conundrum as well as inspired thousands of readers with their writing. Using lively examples from his and other researchers′ experiences, friendly, practical tips, and a warm, reflective writing style, this second edition has been completely updated and includes new features, such Read the book that will not only enable you to better tell the story of your research in the article, monograph, or dissertation you need to write but also help you to incorporate writing into the essential role it must play in a professional research career. 

Genres: Research, Qualitative Research, Writing, Academic, Education, Research Methods

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1990

About the author

Harry F. Wolcott taught at the University of Oregon, serving on both the faculties of education and anthropology. He authored several ethnographic texts that included his experiences among the Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia and with the African Beer Gardens of Bulawayo, Rhodesia, as well on ethnographic method and on writing itself, with a focus on qualitative research.

Reviews

[Lawrence Linnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolcott presents what could be described as a handbook for writing up qualitative research, including how to begin, when to begin, where to begin, the problem of focus, and problems of sorting and organizing data. Wolcott thinks about research as problem setting, rather than problem solving. He suggests a statement of purpose, a detailed written outline or sequence, and determining the basic story to be told, who is doing the telling, and the representational style to follow for joining observer and observed are three critical elements of planning. Attention is paid top strategies for follow-through, or finishing the study or project. Wolcott believes you do not conclude a qualitative study. He warns against going beyond reporting what is and using the study as a platform for making pronouncements of what ought to be. Details are provided on finishing the write-up of a study, such as title, dedication, preface, introduction and forward, acknowledgments, table of contents, footnotes and endnotes, references and bibliography, appendixes and supplements, Index and key words, about the author, abstract, and printer’s proof. Suggestions for publishing are also offered.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the informal style of this book. Wolcott takes the scary prospect of writing up scholarly research, and gives tips and gentle encouragement, making the process much less painful and intimidating. I enjoyed reading this more than I anticipated.

[Pamela H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro ha sido muy útil en mi proceso de escritura para la Tesis. Es claro, conciso sobre los puntos que aborda y de manera sencilla y esquemática brinda consejos para realizar un escrito a nivel licenciatura.
Como bien se lee en el título, el enfoque es la investigación cualitativa, que en ciertos casos puede ser complicada para los estudiantes. Así que si buscas algún libro para realizar tu reporte de datos cualitativos (no importa la técnica que has utilizado), este libro es para ti.

[An Te · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a splendid account illustrating the difficulty of decisions during the writing up of qualitative research. It is eminently readable (contrary to the academic style!) and instructive. I'd be sure to read this little volume again as I begin to put into practise some of his sagacious advice.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read that provides valuable tips on writing qualitative research. Despite the book being published in 2009, it still provides useful information now especially for new researchers, such as myself.

[John Chancey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read about how to start and finish a Qualitative paper. From conceiving the initial research idea to publication. I will refer back to this text as I begin to edit and submit my Qual 2 paper for presentations/publications.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a struggle to get through. Halfway through I decided it wasn’t worth finishing.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent guide for novice qualitative researchers.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dr. Wolcott! This fantastic resource helped me finish and successfully defend my dissertation. Highly recommended to any students doing qualitative research and presenting it professionally.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wolcott presents a candid account of his experience of writing up qualitative research with all its frustrations and joys. I particularly appreciated his writing style - authoritative (not authoritarian!) and humble at the same time. An inspiring read!

[ksodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful suggestions

[Katie Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the reprieves for exhaustive theoretical frameworks and lit reviews

[Nittayaporn · Rating 3 out of 5]

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