An Introduction to Qualitative Research
Learning in the Field
Fourth Edition
- Gretchen B. Rossman - University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
- Sharon F. Rallis - University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Additional resources:
April 2016 | 344 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
The updated Fourth Edition of Rossman and Rallis’s popular introductory text leads the new researcher into the field by explaining the core concepts through theory, research, and applied examples. Woven into the chapters are three themes that are the heart of the book: first, research is about learning; second, research can and should be useful; and finally, a researcher should practice the highest ethical standards to ensure that a study is trustworthy. The Fourth Edition includes an elaborate discussion of systematic inquiry as well as a nuanced discussion of developing a conceptual framework.
Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.
Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class
Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.
1. Qualitative Research as Learning
| Doing Qualitative Research: Tales of Three Characters |
| Defining Qualitative Research |
| Common Characteristics |
| Typical Purposes and Overall Approaches |
| The Characters' Choices |
| Ways of Using Research |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Overview of the Book |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
2. The Researcher as Learner
| What is Learning? |
| The Reflexivity of Qualitative Research |
| Paradigms |
| Perspective in Practice |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
3. The Researcher as Competent and Ethical
| What Does Trustworthiness Matter? |
| What Makes a Trustworthy Study? |
| Systematic Practice |
| Ethical Practice |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
4. Major Qualitative Research Genres
| Choosing the Locus of Interest |
| Ethnographic Genres |
| Phenomenological Genres |
| Sociolinguist Genres |
| Case Studies |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
5. Conceptualizing and Planning the Research
| Practical Considerations |
| What is a Research Proposal? |
| Conceptual Framework |
| Design and Methods |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
6. Entering the Field
| Preparation |
| Intended Involvement |
| Approach and Negotiations |
| Expectations and Relationships |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
7. Gathering Data in the Field
| Decisions About Gathering Data |
| Systematic Inquiry |
| Generic In-Depth Interviewing |
| Specialized In-Depth Interviewing |
| Special Considerations |
| Observing People, Actions, and Events |
| Studying Material Culture |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
8. Issues That Arise in the Field
| How Do I Prepare to Gather Data? |
| How Can I Get Comfortable in the Field? |
| What are the Data? |
| How Do I Turn Sights, Sounds, and Objects Into Data? |
| Two Languages: Which Do I Use? |
| How Can I Change My Research Plan? |
| What Do I Reflect On? |
| How Do I Leave the Field? |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
9. Our Character's Data
| Anthony's Data |
| Marla's Data |
| Ruth's Data |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
10. Analyzing and Interpreting Data
| Analysis Happens |
| Generic Analysis |
| Writing In-Process Analytic Memos |
| Strategies for Analyzing Interview Data |
| Strategies for Analyzing Field Notes From Observations |
| Strategies for Analyzing Material Culture |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
11. Our Characters' Analyses
| Anthony's Analysis |
| Ruth's Analysis |
| Marla's Analysis |
| Dispositions and Skills |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
12. Presenting the Learnings
| Presentation |
| Voice |
| An Example |
| Organizing the Report |
| Using the Dispositions and Skills to Generate Useful Knowledge |
| Activities for Your Community of Practice |
| Further Reading |
Supplements
Instructor Teaching Site
Password-protected Instructor Resources include the following:
- Editable, chapter-specific Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides offer you complete flexibility in easily creating a multimedia presentation for your course.
- Sample course syllabi for semester and quarter courses provide suggested models for use when creating the syllabi for your courses.
- Carefully selected, web resources direct you to useful and current content, to extend and reinforce learning or allow for further research on important chapter topics.
- EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter.
Student Study Site
The open-access Student Study Site includes the following:
- Carefully selected, web resources direct you to useful and current content, to extend and reinforce learning or allow for further research on important chapter topics.
- EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter.
“This book has all the resources you need to complete your own research and become a more skilled lifelong learner.”
Utilization-Focused Evaluation
Rossman and Rallis build on their experience as researchers, teachers, and authors to update and improve what I think is simply the best available text for an introductory course on qualitative research methods.
University of Massachusetts, Boston