Through the use of exercises, this book helps readers develop skills necessary to become an effective qualitative researcher. It includes chapters on the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data and narrative techniques, including coverage of autobiography, biography, and life history as viable approaches to understanding the social world.

'Overall, I consider this work to be a valuable resource for teachers and students of research, as well as researchers who want to extend or refine their skills' - "Qualitative Research Journal". Through the use of exercises this book helps readers develop the skills necessary to become an effective qualitative researcher. This edition includes new chapters on the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data and narrative techniques, including coverage of autobiography, biography, and life history as viable approaches to understanding the social world.

Preface to the Second Edition Dedication and Acknowledgments PART I Introduction

Some Notes on Theory

My Theoretical Background

Hindsight

How to Use This Book

The Audience for This Book

Bibliography PART II The Observation Cycle: Selected Exercises

Exercise 2.1: Observing a Still Life Scene

Description of a Still Life Scene: Ten Minutes' Worth

Constructing a Reflective Portfolio

Types of Portfolios

Portfolio Contents

Exercise 2.2: Physical Description of This Setting

Exercise 2.3: Observation in the Home or Workplace

Exercise 2.4: Description of a Familiar Person or a Stranger

The Critical Case of Observation of a Student: Lessons Learned for the Professional Development of the Educator in Training

Critical Case Study

Missing Dad

Exercise 2.5: Observing at an Art Museum or at a Movie

Exercise 2.6: Observing an Animal at Home, the Zoo, or a Pet Shop

Exercise 2.7: Drawing to Become a Better Observer: Drawing Upside Down

Exercise 2.8: Non-Participant Observation Assignment

Gaston's Gourmet Goodies

Selected Readings

Next Steps

Summary of Part II: The Observation Cycle PART III The Interview Cycle

Two People Talking, Communicating, and Constructing Meaning

Types of Interview Questions

Preparing Questions

Examples of Interview Questions From a Recent Dissertation

Exercise 3.1: Interviewing Someone You Know

Exercise 3.2: Interviewing a Stranger

Exercise 3.3: Phone Interviews

Exercise 3.4: The Focus Group Interview

Exercise 3.5: Analyzing Interview Data PART IV Personal Development and the Role of the Researcher

Exercise 4.1: Variations on Writing Your Name

Exercise 4.2: The Camera as an Extension of the Eye
the Eye as an Extension of the Soul

Exercise 4.3: Building a Collage: My Role as a Researcher

Exercise 4.4: Constructing a YaYa Box or Making a Quilt Patch

Writing the Reflective Journal

Exercise 4.5: Reflective Journal Writing Practice

Exercise 4.6: Haiku and Any Form of Poetry and the Role of the Researcher

Exercise 4.7: Framed Photograph Exercise

Summary of Part IV: Personal Development and the Role of the Researcher PART V The Analysis Cycle: Making Sense of the Data, Intuition Ethics, and Other Issues

The Qualitative Researcher as Historian

The Qualitative Researcher as User of All One's Senses, Including the Intuitive Sense

Serendipity

Checkpoints for Data Analysis, Reporting, and Interpretation

Ethics and the Qualitative Researcher

True Stories: Sample Ethical Dilemmas

Intuition and Creativity in Research

The Pas De Deux of Intuition and Creativity: Lessons For Today

Other Issues

Writing the Qualitative Dissertation

Attributes of the Qualitative Researcher

Electronic and Other Resources for the Qualitative Researcher

QR Regular Journals

Writing as a Pedagogical and Research Practice: Introducing the Researcher Reflective Journal

Exercise to Start You on Your Researcher Reflective Journal

Future Directions

Interpretation

Summary

Some Thoughts on Qualitative Researchers Interacting With Institutional Review Boards

Sample Institutional Review Board Application

Summary of This Section Appendixes

A. Sample Letter to Participants

B. Examples of Researcher Reflective Journals

C. Field Notes: From the First Days in the Field

D. Qualitative Research Methods: Two Sample Syllabi

E. Sample Mini Projects From Various Classes

F. Sample Consent Forms

G. Samples of Member Check Forms

H. A Sample Peer Reviewer Form

I. Sample Major Sections From a Qualitative Dissertation Proposal

J. Sample Schema for a Literature Review

K. Sample Sets of Themes and Categories From the Technology Study

L. Samples of Interview Transcripts (Edited)

M. Sample Original Categories and Codes Based on Interviews, Observations, and Journal Entries

N. Final Categories and Codes

O. Final Major Themes and Subthemes Identified From the Data

P. Sample Alternative Field Note Style for Taking Notes During Interviews

Q. Sample Reflections Written After the Preliminary Notes

R. Conducting Qualitative Interviews: Rules of Thumb

S. An Example of Constructing a Model

T. Cost for a Recently Completed Qualitative Dissertation: A Learning Tool Bibliography Index About the Author