Qualitative Communication Research Methods

by Thomas R. Lindlof

• ISBN13: 9781412974738
• ISBN10: 1412974739
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-10-08
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

This book is the only guide to using qualitative methods in communication research. It introduces students to every step of the research process, from developing research topics and questions, through to writing a final report.

The authors have concentrated on making the new edition accessible to undergraduate as well as graduate students; providing guidance on contemporary ethical, political, and practical issues; including a new chapter on analyzing material culture; and showing how new media are not only a topic for research but also the means of recording, analyzing, and representing data.

“The use of examples from media and communication exhibit a very wide reading of the discipline. The writers do a great job keeping up with current technologies that assist in qualitative inquiry!” (John R. Baldwin)

Table of Contents

Introduction to Qualitative Communication Research

Introduction: Working With (and Studying) Cops

Four Paradigms and (Maybe) a Funeral: A Brief History of Qualitative Communication Research

Feeling Corporate, Going Global: Two Trends in Qualitative Communication Research

Looking Closer: The Conduct of Qualitative Research in Communication

Conclusion

Theoretical Traditions and Qualitative Communication Research

Qualitative Research and Communication Theory

The Phenomenological Tradition

The Sociocultural Tradition

The Critical Tradition

Conclusion

Design I: Planning Research Projects

Introduction

"My City, My Society, and My Life" - Renee's Story

Sources of Research Ideas

Moving Toward a Commitment

Evaluating the Scene

Conclusion

Design II: Implementing Research Projects

Introduction

Negotiating Access

Exploratory Methods

Sampling

Human Subject Protections

The Research Proposal

Conclusion

Exercises

Producing Data I: Participating, Observing, and Recording Social Action

Introduction: Fieldwork, Ethnography, and Participant-Observation

Successful Participant Observation

Adapting Roles

Tactical Observing

Writing Fieldnotes

New Media and Participant Observation

Conclusion

Exercises

Producing Data II: Qualitative Interviewing

Purposes of the Qualitative Interview

Types of Interviews in Communication Research

The Practices of Interviewing

Question Design and Use

Transcribing Interviews

Conclusion

Exercises

Producing Data III: Analyzing Material Culture and Documents

Introduction

Material Culture

Documents

Conclusion

Exercises

Sense Making: Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation

Introduction

Qualitative Data Analysis

Tools for Analysis

Interpretation

Evaluating Interpretations

Conclusion

Exercises

Writing, Authoring, and Publishing

Introduction: Going Public

The Crisis of Representation

After the Fall: Reading and Writing Qualitative Research

Institutional Contexts of Qualitative Writing

The Craft of Qualitative Writing: Three Types of Format and Their Related Strategies

Some Final Thoughts on Writing

Exercises

Epilogue

References

Name Index

Subject Index

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