Qualitative Research Practice
A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers
- Jane Ritchie - National Centre for Social Research, London
- Jane Lewis - Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI)
- Carol McNaughton Nicholls - Thinks Insight & Strategy
- Rachel Ormston - Ipsos Scotland
Written by a team of leading researchers associated with NatCen Social Research (the National Centre for Social Research) this textbook leads students and researchers through the entire process of qualitative research from beginning to end - moving through design, sampling, data collection, analysis and reporting. In this fully revised second edition you will find:
- A practical account of how to carry out qualitative research which recognises a range of current approaches and applications
- A brand new chapter on ethics
- A brand new chapter on observational research
- Updated advice on using software when analysing your qualitative data
- New case studies which illustrate issues you may encounter and how problems have been tackled by other researchers.
This is a great book! I am planning on adopting some chapters from \Qualitative Research Practice" in a post-graduate module that introduces students to contemporary issues in media and communication with a strong link to a variety of research methods. While I won't have time to fully consider the first chapter (Foundations of Qualitative Research), Iwill recommend this chapter as further reading. The second chapter, however, (Applications) is extremely useful, especially the section on mixing methods, which will be an essential reading for one of the lectures. As the students will be asked to prepare and discuss a research proposal, chapters 3 (Design Issues), 4 (Ethics) and 5 (Samples) will all be essential readings. Depending on what research method the students choose, they will be asked to read chapters 7 (In-depth interviews), 8 (Focus Groups), or 9 (Observation) respectively. The latter chapters (Analysis etc.) are not relevant to students in this module as they won't actually conduct research. However, these chapters will be relevant to those students who wish to do their MA dissertation using qualitative methods.
All in all, the design of this book is well thought through and gives researchers and students a good guide of how to conduct their research. I will be using it myself in an upcoming qualitative research project that will involve interviews and focus groups.
Excellent guide for postgraduates and advanced undergraduate students, with key topics covered in rich detail.
An interesting practical guide
The text is a recommended reference for Bachelor and Master degree students doing their final dissertation project.
Qualitative Research Practice is a valuable text which provides a close account of how to conduct three common approaches to data collection in qualitative research: interviews, focus groups and observation. Of particular value to the Masters or PhD student, who is learning how to conduct research independently, are the detailed, worked examples of data analysis and the challenges and approaches to reporting qualitative data.
This is an excellent book. It is clear, informative, well referenced and relevant to social science researchers.
I have been using this ‘excellent’ book for a number of years while teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. If you’re not quite sure which book to buy for the qualitative research, then this might be the best choice!
A useful guide to research practice for novice researchers
Recommended for our course reading and an essential text for those engaging in social applied policy research, and those using framework analysis. Will be added to the reading list for 2015-16. As ever from Jane Ritchie an comprehensive exploitation of applied qualitative research in the field of social policy that is accessible for students and written in a way that helps and enthuses them in this field.
A comprehensive and detailed book on all things qualitative. Like the practical approach to various methods and welcome the chapter on Ethics.
