The Practice of Qualitative Research

摘要

The Practice of Qualitative Research provides a reference for readers interested in qualitative research. The authors are sociologists, and many examples from sociology appear throughout the book. The book is designed elegantly, and chapters contain several helpful features. Each has a glossary of key terms. Discussion questions allow for further reflection and could be used effectively in a class. The Resources section of each chapter provides an annotated list of relevant Web sites and identifies relevant journals. The first four chapters define qualitative research and provide lenses through which it may be viewed. You learn how to select the methodology for your study, which in turn will affect the research questions and the methods used to answer them. The discussions of sampling, validity, and reliability are brief but helpful. The chapter on ethics goes beyond the necessary mechanics of obtaining participants' informed consent and satisfying the requirements of institutional review boards: It describes common ethical issues that novice researchers face and offers strategies for finding effective solutions.