An Introduction to Qualitative Research
Learning in the Field

Fourth Edition

Gretchen B. Rossman - University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA
Sharon F. Rallis - 2014 - 2018, University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA

Courses:
Field Research | Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods | Qualitative Research in Education | Research Methods in Social Work | Research Methods in Sociology

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.

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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

“This book has all the resources you need to complete your own research and become a more skilled lifelong learner.”

Michael Quinn Patton

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.

Gerardo Blanco Ramirez

University of Massachusetts, Boston

Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

More examples from the work of the authors' students provide research illustrations with which readers can identify, including new examples from international settings.
Enhanced discussions in conceptualizing a study and analyzing and interpreting qualitative data are elaborated in Chapters 5 and 10 respectively.
Expanded content on oral history interviews and autoethnography are now included in the discussion of qualitative research genres.
Updated coverage of using the Internet and software for gathering and analyzing qualitative data reflects the constantly changing nature of Internet applications.

KEY FEATURES:

Recurring characters appear throughout the book to offer suggestions for the questions that students often encounter, revealing the processes, practice, struggles, and joys of conducting qualitative research.
The authors speak directly to the learner throughout the book to engage them in dialogue.
Relevant examples drawn from real-life experiences over the years clarify key concepts.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 6

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An Introduction to Qualitative Research
Learning in the Field

Sample Materials & Chapters

Sage College Publishing