Successful Writing For Qualitative Researchers

by Woods,Peter

• ISBN13: 9780415355391
• ISBN10: 0415355397
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2005-11-11
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Researchers are under increasing pressure to improve the quality and rate of their publications. Key to the effective communication of their work is its presentation in clear, concise and well-written prose. This second edition of Peter Woods' established guide discusses all aspects of translating research into writing, including: Getting started and keeping going, Organising your work, Traditional and alternative forms of writing, Style and format, Editing your writing, Writing alone and writing in a team, Approaching publishers and getting published.

Author Biography

Peter Woods is Emeritus Professor at The Open University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	xi
Introduction	1	(8)
Qualitative research	2	(3)
Main features of qualitative research	2	(2)
Validity	4	(1)
The postmodernist challenge	5	(2)
Structure of the book	7	(2)
Getting started and keeping going	9	(16)
The `pain' threshold	9	(2)
Moral imperatives and mental conditioners	11	(3)
Cranking up	14	(6)
Planning	20	(3)
Speculative scheme	21	(1)
Provisional working plan	22	(1)
Reworked plan	22	(1)
Final plan	22	(1)
Conclusion	23	(2)
A standard approach to organisation	25	(18)
Organising the data	25	(7)
Organising by category	26	(5)
Organising by theme	31	(1)
Organising by concept	32	(1)
The generation of categories, themes and concepts	32	(3)
The genesis stage	34	(1)
The exploration stage	34	(1)
The discovery stage	34	(1)
The ideas stage	34	(1)
The confirmatory stage	34	(1)
The getting it right stage	35	(1)
Some organising strategies	35	(2)
A traditional structure of the whole	37	(4)
Title	37	(1)
Authors	38	(1)
Abstract	38	(1)
Introduction	38	(1)
Defining the grapevine	39	(1)
Analysing the grapevine	39	(1)
Conclusion	40	(1)
Notes	40	(1)
References	40	(1)
Appendix	40	(1)
Variations on the standard approach	41	(2)
Alternative forms of representation	43	(22)
Literary texts	45	(8)
Voices in the text	45	(5)
Poetry	50	(3)
Performance texts	53	(4)
Hypermedia texts	57	(2)
Criteria for quality in alternative texts	59	(4)
Conclusion	63	(2)
Style	65	(21)
The abuses of rhetoric	65	(6)
In components of the text	65	(2)
In using the whole of the text: rhetorical spins	67	(4)
The uses of rhetoric	71	(13)
Writing for different audiences	71	(2)
Metaphor	73	(5)
Expressive writing	78	(6)
A personal style	84	(2)
Editing	86	(14)
The process	86	(10)
Insufficient guidance in the Introduction	87	(1)
Weak Conclusions	88	(1)
Similar material in different sections	88	(1)
Theoretical inadequacy	88	(2)
Faulty grammar	90	(1)
Style	91	(2)
Structure	93	(1)
Use of transcripts	93	(1)
Misuse of examples	94	(1)
Evidence	94	(1)
Bias	94	(1)
Ethics	94	(1)
References and literature	95	(1)
The `best shot'	95	(1)
Key words	96	(1)
Examples of edited texts	96	(4)
A text containing transcript	96	(2)
A marked up text	98	(2)
Collaborative writing	100	(14)
Research horizons	101	(1)
Muddling through	102	(1)
Comparative development	102	(2)
Refining arguments	104	(1)
Enhanced validity	104	(3)
Enrichment	107	(1)
Mutual support	108	(1)
Sustained impetus	109	(1)
Style	110	(1)
Problems and solutions	110	(4)
With what do we write?	114	(16)
The researcher's self and the writing implement	114	(2)
The computer as a writing aid	116	(6)
Literature review	118	(1)
Data collection	118	(1)
Data analysis	119	(1)
Presenting reports of qualitative research	120	(1)
Communications and collaboration	120	(1)
Drafting	120	(1)
Editing	121	(1)
Publishing	121	(1)
Some uses of the pen	122	(6)
Ease and economy	122	(1)
Identity and cultural uses	123	(1)
As therapy	124	(1)
As psychological and physical relief	124	(1)
As gleaner	124	(1)
As a listening and reading aid	125	(1)
As a promoter of ideas	126	(1)
As an aid in drafting	126	(2)
As an enhancer of quality	128	(1)
Conclusion	128	(2)
Writing for publication	130	(32)
Academic journals	130	(16)
Know your own product	131	(2)
Know your journal	133	(4)
The psychological set	137	(1)
Strategies	138	(1)
Assistance	139	(1)
A selection of critical comments on journal submissions	140	(6)
Books	146	(16)
Background knowledge	146	(2)
Preparing a proposal	148	(5)
Negotiating a contract	153	(1)
Strategies	154	(8)
Suggested further reading	162	(3)
References	165	(10)
Name index	175	(4)
Subject index	179