README FIRST for a User′s Guide to Qualitative Methods

“This text offers current thinking in the field. The authors are well-established qualitative researchers and have pulled off a great text for the beginning researcher.” -- Matthew A. Eichler
“The key strength of this text is the discussion and presentation of how to think about qualitative research. This is the only text that discusses the process of thinking before doing at any stage of the research project from the general idea to the writing up and submitting for publication. This kind of discussion is extremely helpful for novice or experienced researchers as it helps them to take a step back in the middle of the research process, rethink clearly and improve the project.” -- Ruth Segal
“This book combines the basics of qualitative research methods (why we choose qualitative over quantitative when we are trying to answer specific questions about human behavior) and the nuts and bolts of how to actually do qualitative research. I like that it explains qualitative research from conceptualization to writing up the results. Not a lot of textbooks accomplish this – they allude to a lot, but they don’t include the necessary information that this textbook includes.” -- Rhonda R. Buckley
“The text is very clear and well organized, and accessible for new students. In comparison to many other introductory texts, it really brings to the fore the need for theoretical and methodological coherence.” -- Irina L. G. Todorova
“An invaluable introduction to qualitative inquiry that emphasizes several points that I rarely find in other texts and, although somewhat subtle, they are extremely important for doing rigorous research.” -- Sandra Mott
Very clear approach to disseminating five primary areas of qualitative research. My students appreciated the way it addressed the analysis of data in detail. In addition, the chapter on writing for different audiences and purposes was particularly valuable for beginning researchers.

I adopted it for the class I taught last fall, 2012. My apologies for not completing this earlier. -- Dr Akosua Addo * drupal *
Excellent reading material for those newly embarking into qualitative research. I have recommended this as essential reading for those at the end of undergraduate programmes or at the beginning of Masters level. -- Dr Aled Jones * drupal *
This ′Readme first guide′ is exactly that and very useful as a basic text to as a quick reference for definitions and descriptions of key qualitative theory and methods. At the end of each chapter there are also helpful resources for further reading and a summary of points. By its very nature this is a relatively cautious and simple format, so it will work nicely to suggest as first step readings for students starting out in qualitative methods; either as final year undergraduates or first year postgraduates doing core modules in qualitative methods. -- Dr Amanda Bingley * drupal *
I have been using the 2nd edition for my Qualitative Methods course for two years, so adopting the 3rd ed was a "no-brainer." The book is quite helpful: It does a lot to demystify qualitative research and assisting students students thru the elements of qualitative design. " -- Dr Carolyn Phillips * drupal *
A good introduction to the theory and practice of doing qualitative research for beginners as well as more experienced practitioners -- Dr Dario Pellegrini * drupal *
Ordered for Library. -- Dr John Hedgcock * drupal *
Nice intro for undergraduate students, we rather like this.
-- Dr Jon Cryer * drupal *
I have looked at this book and I have recommended it to a number of students undertaking qualitative research projects. Feedback has been generally positive. The only additional point made is the need for a companion book on Quantitative Methods. -- Dr Martin Campbell * drupal *
Met Lyn Richards and heard her present at a qualitative research conference. Have adopted for my next offering of EDR 725 Qualitative Research at Northern Arizona University. -- Dr Mary Dereshiwsky * drupal *
A clear and accessible book for students. Gives a good overview of qualitative methods. -- Dr Matti Tedre * drupal *
Great text, well written. Students sang praises for this book. -- Dr Peter Gleason * drupal *
Very useful text for anyone embarking on or extending a research project.
Appendices, including seeking funding, are useful.
Ethical issues covered usefully.
Table re coding date particularly useful.
Very helpful book to have in the library and one I will recommend to our PGCE students. -- Dr Sue Howarth * drupal *
This provides a useful overview for qualitative research methods and is appropriate for masters and PhD level students -- Dr Val Mitchell * drupal *
An excellent introduction to the subject matter for undergraduate students, non-ideological and straightforward. -- Mr Felix Seyfarth * drupal *
A very useful initial guide to qualitative research paying particular attention to reflection on the broader methodological issues before embarking on a very good exploration of specific methods. Equally suitable for undergraduates and new postgraduate researchers. -- Mr Mark Shepherd * drupal *
Good layout and easily readable for those new to qualitative research -- Mrs Beverley Wellington * drupal *
We have adopted this book for our PGCE:CT trainees. A very readable, accessible guide to qualitative research methods which will help prepare our trainees for their research project in their placement school. -- Mrs Cheryl St.George * drupal *
This book has a good structure for students developing a proposal or carrying out qualitative research. It is also clear and well written. The resources at the end of each chapter are really good for students eg. the recommended journals at end of ch2. I will be recommending this to students on the Developing Research and Evaluation Skills module and also adding it to our recommended reading list for the Dissertation Module. -- Mrs Linda Martindale * drupal *
This is a must have introductory text for anyone with a developing an interest in qualitative research. It is clearly written and with a structure that allows readers to be guided through the complexity of qualitative inquiry. Useful for undergraduate, masters and doctoral level students. -- Mrs Sally Goldspink * drupal *
This book provides good materials in qualitative research for students. It addresses the importance of working qualitatively and assesses the the mixed method designs as a way of achieving more comprehensive and broader results -- Ms Emma Etuk * drupal *
This is another good text in the armoury of part time professional students who are engaged in work based projects -- Ms Eve Coles * drupal *