Designing Qualitative Research

Abstract

Addressing the complexity, flexibility, and controversies of qualitative research’s many genres, Designing Qualitative Research, Sixth Edition gives students, research managers, policy analysts, and applied researchers clear, easy-to-understand guidance on designing qualitative research. While maintaining a focus on the proposal stage, this best-selling book takes readers from selecting a research genre through building a conceptual framework, data collection and interpretation, and arguing the merits of the proposal. Extended discussions cover strategies that researchers can use to address the challenges posed by postmodernists, feminists, and critical race theorists, as well as others who interrogate historical qualitative inquiry. The book also includes thoughtful discussion on trustworthiness and ethics, in addition to dealing with time, resource, and political stressors inherent to the research process. Throughout the book, authors Catherine Marshall and Gretchen B. Rossman emphasize the importance of being systematic but also inspire readers with potential “Aha!” moments and opportunities to do research in close connection with people and communities.