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Qualitative Research Design
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Qualitative Research Design
An Interactive Approach

Third Edition


June 2013 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This book gives researchers and students a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to planning qualitative research. Based on a course that the author taught for 7 years at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, it is written in an informal, jargon-free style and incorporates many examples and hands-on exercises. Rather than the rigid, linear approach to design that is usually found in research methods textbooks--and which is particularly ill suited for qualitative research--this book presents a flexible, systemic model of design. This model not only better fits what experienced qualitative researchers actually do, but provides a clear framework for designing a study and developing a research proposal. This edition includes new or substantially expanded discussions of research paradigms, defining a research problem, site and participant selection, relationships with research participants, data analysis, and validity, as well as more examples and exercises.

 
Chapter 1. A Model for Qualitative Research Design
 
Chapter 2. Goals: Why Are You Doing This Study?
 
Chapter 3. Conceptual Framework: What Do You Think Is Going On?
 
Chapter 4. Research Questions: What Do You Want to Understand?
 
Chapter 5. Methods: What Will You Actually Do?
 
Chapter 6. Validity: How Might You Be Wrong?
 
Chapter 7. Research Proposals: Presenting and Justifying a Qualitative Study
 
Appendix A. A Proposal for a Study of Medical School Teaching
 
Appendix B. A Proposal for a Study of Online Learning by Teachers

“This book uses everyday language that will captivate students’ attention and embed practical knowledge to supplement the technical.”

Gaetane Jean-Marie
University of Oklahoma

“The key strengths of the text are the passion and the enthusiasm that Dr. Maxwell has for qualitative research after all these years. I feel I can also utilize these concepts on my own research team and take them out of the classroom and into research team meetings with colleagues.”

Deborah Gioia
University of Maryland, Baltimore

“I really liked this book. I found myself taking notes and saying “yes” so many times because Maxwell captures the research process so well and provides many points worth quoting. As a faculty mentor, I particularly see the value of this book for my students who are conducting qualitative dissertations.”

Mary S. Enright
Capella University

"Maxwell provides a clear explanation regarding the nuances involved in the circular process of qualitative research design."

Tracy M. Lara
Kent State University

Very useful book for those at the early stages of planning research projects on postgraduate courses or early doctoral candidates. The early chapters on designing coherent research studies are especially useful. Plenty of eclectic examples enliven the reading experience for students and lecturers.

Dr Aled Jones
School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, Cardiff University
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Some useful discussions which help students consider some of the key elements of qualitative research design differently from other books

Dr Anthony Hickey
School of Nursing, Salford University
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Not adopted for my graduate level course on ethnographic research methods. The book is used in another one of our qualitative research courses

Dr Armando Trujillo
Bicultural Bilingual Stds Div, University of Texas
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This is a good intro book for new students aiming to address qualitative research systematically. However it does not seem to address critical issues well associated with qualitative studies.

Dr Chahid Fourali
London Metropolitan Business School, London Metropolitan Uni (City Campus)
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Haven't ever found a clearer and more useful book for research design than Maxwell's.

Dr Corrine Glesne
Education, University of Vermont
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This subject of this book is too narrow for an introductory counseling research course. Additionally, it does not include program evaluation, a subject required by state and national licensing boards.

Dr Ed Decker
Religion Dept, Oral Roberts University
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Key features

New to the Third Edition

  • Provides new and expanded coverage of key topics such as paradigms in qualitative research, conceptual frameworks and using theory, doing literature reviews, and writing research proposals

Key Features

  • Offers an original, innovative model of design based on a systemic rather than a linear or typological structure, well suited for designing studies and writing research proposals
  • Includes many exercises that help readers to design their study
  • Provides guidance in a clear, direct writing style, offering practical advice on research design

Sample Materials & Chapters

toc

ch 1

ch 3


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781412981194
£67.00