Learning in the Field : An Introduction to Qualitative Research

by Gretchen B. Rossman

• ISBN13: 9780761926511
• ISBN10: 0761926518
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-01-03
• Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS

Summary

"What sets this book apart is its skillful integration of both the scientific and artistic dimensions of qualitative research." --From the foreword by Michael Quinn Patton, author of Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, Third Edition "This is one of the best books I've found for introductory or intermediate qualitative research courses. I have taught this course using this text and the students really raved about it. In particular, the way the text handles issues of data collection, the role of qualitative research, and data analysis are extremely well done. I highly recommend this text as one of the most accessible yet sophisticated books on qualitative research that I've been able to use in my courses. This is an excellent resource that all new qualitative researchers should have on their bookshelf." --Alison A. Carr-Chellman, Instructional Systems, Penn State University "This is a clearly written and straightforward introduction to qualitative research. The central themes of the book--that qualitative research is learning and qualitative researchers are learners--move the text beyond the 'how to do it' in ways that can be helpful for 'seasoned' qualitative researchers as well as beginners. Thinking about qualitative research as a process of learning--about social phenomena, about participants, about oneself--is a very powerful pedagogical and methodological approach." --Elizabeth J. Whitt, College of Education, University of Iowa The popular text that helped readers better understand and practice qualitative research has been completely updated and revised while retaining the features that made the First Edition so useful. New to this edition: Chapter 3 on the ethics and politics of qualitative research Chapter 4 on choosing the locus of interest among the major qualitative research approaches Chapter 10 expanded to provide detailed instructions for organizing, coding, interpreting, and analyzing data To help readers better visualize and grasp the concepts, issues, and complexities of qualitative inquiry, the authors introduce each chapter with discussions among three "characters"--students whose research projects demonstrate the challenges and excitement of qualitative research. Woven into the chapters and the characters' stories are three themes that make up the tapestry of qualitative research: First, research is a learning process. Second, research can and should be useful. Finally, a researcher needs to have a clear vision of the audience and purpose of a study. Also added to this edition: Chapters 8 and 11 present examples of the three student characters' data and analysis Concept boxes highlight major themes and issues and summarize important principles End-of-chapter study questions and activities "Through the perspectives of three students learning about qualitative research, Rossman and Rallis provide an introductory overview of the subject in a clear and direct style with some excellent recommendations for planning the study." --Johnny Saldana, Theatre Department, Arizona State University

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Michael Quinn Patton
Preface to the Second Edition	xv
List of Tables and Figures	xix
Qualitative Research as Learning	1	(30)
Defining Qualitative Research	4	(4)
Common Characteristics	8	(5)
Typical Purposes and Overall Approaches	13	(3)
Doing Qualitative Research: Tales of Three Characters	16	(3)
Ways of Using Research	19	(5)
Instrumental Use	20	(1)
Enlightenment Use	20	(2)
Symbolic Use	22	(1)
Emancipatory Use	23	(1)
Principles of Good Practice	24	(2)
Overview of the Book	26	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	27	(2)
Further Reading	29	(2)
The Researcher as Learner	31	(30)
What Is Learning?	34	(1)
The Reflexivity of Qualitative Research	35	(1)
Paradigms	36	(12)
Subjectivity and Objectivity	38	(4)
Status Quo Versus Radical Change	42	(2)
Four Paradigms	44	(4)
Perspective in Practice	48	(6)
The Self at Work: Reflexivity	49	(2)
Establishing Perspective	51	(3)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	54	(2)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	56	(3)
Further Reading	59	(2)
The Researcher as Competent and Ethical	61	(28)
Trustworthiness	63	(2)
Standards for Practice	65	(5)
What Is the Truth Value of This Work?	65	(2)
How Rigorously Was the Study Conducted?	67	(1)
How Is the Study Useful for Other Situations?	68	(1)
Strategies for Ensuring Credibility and Rigor	69	(1)
Theories of Ethics	70	(3)
The Ethic of Consequences	71	(1)
The Ethic of Rights and Responsibilities	71	(1)
The Ethic of Social Justice	72	(1)
The Ethic of Care	72	(1)
Ethical Issues	73	(8)
Privacy and Confidentiality	73	(1)
Deception and Consent	74	(3)
Trust and Betrayal	77	(2)
Thinking Through Ethical Dilemmas	79	(2)
Politics	81	(2)
Setting the Research Agenda	81	(1)
Approving the ``Right'' Methodology	81	(1)
Coping With Micro-Politics	82	(1)
Internal Review Boards	83	(1)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	84	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	85	(2)
Further Reading	87	(2)
Major Qualitative Research Genres	89	(22)
Choosing the Locus of Interest: Major Qualitative Research Genres	92	(15)
Critical and Postmodern Assumptions	93	(2)
Ethnographies	95	(2)
Phenomenological Studies	97	(3)
Socio-Communication Studies	100	(4)
Case Studies	104	(3)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	107	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	108	(1)
Further Reading	109	(2)
Planning the Research	111	(34)
Practical Considerations	114	(3)
Do-Ability	114	(2)
Want-to-Do-Ability	116	(1)
Should-Do-Ability	116	(1)
What Is a Research Proposal?	117	(3)
Conceptual Framework	120	(14)
Use of the Literature	123	(1)
Introduction	123	(2)
The Topic	125	(1)
Statement of the Research Problem or Issue	126	(2)
Purpose	128	(1)
Significance	129	(2)
Overview Questions and Subquestions	131	(2)
Limitations	133	(1)
Design and Method	134	(6)
Overall Genre and Rationale	135	(1)
Site or Population Selection and Sampling Strategies	136	(2)
Data-Gathering Procedures	138	(2)
Data Management and Analysis Procedures	140	(1)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	140	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	141	(2)
Further Reading	143	(2)
Entering the Field	145	(24)
Preparation	148	(2)
Intended Involvement	150	(5)
Degree of Involvement	150	(2)
Portrayal of Involvement	152	(3)
Approach and Negotiations	155	(3)
Time	155	(1)
Introduction and Invitation	156	(1)
Written Permission	157	(1)
Expectations and Relationships	158	(7)
Reciprocity	159	(4)
Organizational Gatekeepers	163	(2)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	165	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	166	(2)
Further Reading	168	(1)
Gathering Data in the Field	169	(38)
Decisions About Gathering Data	174	(3)
Depth or Breadth	175	(1)
Prefigured or Open-Ended	175	(1)
Ebb and Flow	176	(1)
Systematic Inquiry	177	(3)
Data About the Research	178	(1)
Data About the Process and Yourself	178	(2)
Generic In-Depth Interviewing	180	(8)
Types of Interviews	181	(2)
Social Group Identities	183	(2)
Follow-Up Questions	185	(3)
Specialized Forms of In-Depth Interviewing	188	(6)
Ethnographic Interviewing	189	(1)
Phenomenological Interviewing	190	(1)
Socio-Communications Interviews	191	(1)
Interviewing ``Elites'' or Experts	192	(1)
Focus Group Interviewing	192	(1)
Interviewing Children	193	(1)
Observing People, Actions, and Events	194	(3)
Taking Field Notes	195	(1)
Making Raw Field Notes Usable	196	(1)
Studying Material Culture	197	(2)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	199	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	200	(4)
Further Reading	204	(3)
Our Characters' Data	207	(40)
Anthony's Data	209	(11)
Field Notes 1	210	(2)
Field Notes 2	212	(3)
Interview 1	215	(2)
Interview 2	217	(3)
Marla's Data	220	(11)
Interview 1	221	(3)
Interview 2	224	(3)
Field Notes 1	227	(1)
Field Notes 2	228	(2)
Field Notes 3	230	(1)
Ruth's Data	231	(11)
Field Notes 1	232	(2)
Field Notes 2	234	(2)
Interview 1	236	(3)
Interview 2	239	(3)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	242	(5)
Issues That Arise in the Field	247	(20)
``How Do I Prepare to Gather Data?''	250	(1)
``How Can I Get Comfortable in the Field?''	251	(3)
``What Are the Data?''	254	(2)
``How Do I Turn Sights, Sounds, and Objects Into Data?''	256	(3)
``I'm Bilingual. What Language Do I Use?''	259	(1)
``How Can I Change My Research Plan?''	260	(1)
``What Do I Reflect On?''	261	(2)
``How Do I Leave the Field?''	263	(2)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	265	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	265	(1)
Further Reading	266	(1)
Analyzing and Interpreting Data	267	(42)
Analysis Happens	271	(7)
Analysis Is Ongoing	272	(1)
Categorical or Holistic Analysis	273	(2)
Quantifying Qualitative Data	275	(1)
Analysis Related to Qualitative Genres	276	(2)
Generic Analysis	278	(13)
Organizing the Data	280	(1)
Familiarizing Yourself With the Data	281	(1)
Generating Categories and Themes	282	(3)
Coding	285	(2)
Interpretation	287	(2)
Searching for Alternative Understandings	289	(1)
Writing the Report	290	(1)
Writing In-Process Analytic Memos	291	(1)
Strategies for Analyzing Interview Data	292	(10)
Analyzing Ethnographic Interview Data	292	(4)
Analyzing Phenomenologic Interview Data	296	(2)
Analyzing Socio-Communications Data	298	(4)
Strategies for Analyzing Field Notes From Observations	302	(1)
Strategies for Analyzing Material Culture	303	(1)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	304	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	305	(2)
Further Reading	307	(2)
Our Characters' Analyses	309	(20)
Anthony's Analysis	311	(5)
Analytic Memo: What Participation Means	313	(3)
Ruth's Analysis	316	(5)
On Agency	318	(3)
Marla's Analysis	321	(3)
Memo #1: Collaborative Analysis: The Process and Some Preliminary Insights	322	(1)
Memo #2: Taking Action	323	(1)
Using the Principles of Good Practice	324	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	325	(4)
Presenting the Learnings	329	(22)
Presentation	332	(11)
Audience and Purpose	333	(2)
Possible Formats	335	(1)
Voice	336	(7)
Organizing the Report	343	(4)
Chronology	344	(1)
Life History	344	(1)
Themes	344	(1)
Composite	345	(1)
Critical Events	345	(1)
Portraits	346	(1)
Using the Principles of Good Practice to Generate Useful Knowledge	347	(1)
Activities for Your Community of Practice	348	(3)
Epilogue	351	(2)
References	353	(8)
Name Index	361	(2)
Subject Index	363	(6)
About the Authors	369