The book focuses on practical aspects of writing an academic thesis, preparing a research proposal, applying for a research grant, and publishing in academic journals. The book consists of ten modules each corresponding to one academic research threshold providing references and associated links, clarifying notes, examples, and practical advice on various research methodology topics. Topics cover the entire range of basic to advanced concepts and issues with additional references provided for the benefit of more specialized investigation by the reader. The typical audience of the book include postgraduate students, research supervisors, early-career researchers, potential referees of academic journal articles, and potential applicants of research grants. Annual online updates will also provide to the readers upon request when purchasing the book.

`I was really floundering until I found Handling Qualitative Data, which is a great practical guide, and I hope it will gain much more recognition so that people in my position will know it is the first place to go for help in a qualitative project... A great book′ - Steve Lowman, Rural Researcher, Aberystwyth University `At the end of each chapter the author maps out the pragmatic steps required to progress a qualitative research study and the associated analysis of data. This is accompanied by experiential exercises, suggested further reading and links to the online tutorial on www.sagepub.co.uk/richards. This latter dimension provides an exciting and innovative aspect to the text and the opportunity for readers to gain something beyond the expected theoretical perspectives.... In summary, an excellent book′ - Nurse Researcher Handling Qualitative Data introduces students and practitioners to qualitative research in a uniquely practical manner. Firstly, it recognizes that for many novice researchers, data, rather than methods and their philosophical underpinnings, are the point of departure. Secondly, it advocates a progressive accumulation of skills and understanding of methodological issues as they are needed. This enables the student to perform efficaciously from the start by immediately being in a position to handle, reflect on and get results from, small amounts of data, giving them a launch pad to more complex endeavours. The book provides pragmatic, informal and succinct assistance in the processes of meeting, sorting, coding, documenting and exploring unstructured records. It smoothly integrates software use into data handling as and when it is necessary, with discussion of challenges. It guides the reader to debates about the nature and interpretation of such data and the goals of valid and useful outcomes from qualitative analysis. This text will assist novice researchers to do justice to such data, whatever their background or opportunities for further methods training. For those who wish to work with the QSR NVivo software on the issues and techniques in the book′s chapters, resource pages featuring tutorials covering each chapter are available by clicking on the companion website logo above.

Researchers measure the effectiveness of new interventions using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). They are increasingly using qualitative research with these RCTs to explain the results of RCTs or facilitate the viability and efficiency of RCTs. A Practical Guide to Using Qualitative Research with Randomized Controlled Trials is a how-to book about the use of qualitative research with RCTs. Divided into three parts, this book covers the process of using qualitative research with RCTs from start to finish. Section one outlines overarching issues such as the many contributions qualitative research can make to generating evidence of effectiveness, section two provides practical guidance from writing a proposal through to publishing qualitative research undertaken with RCTs, and the final section guides the reader on how to engage with relevant stakeholders. Each chapter focuses on the key steps of undertaking qualitative research in RCTs, giving examples of how to write a proposal, select research questions, integrate qualitative and quantitative components, and much more. A Practical Guide to Using Qualitative Research with Randomized Controlled Trials is ideal for researchers who are leading, undertaking, or planning to use qualitative research with RCTs. With its detailed explanations and inspiring examples, this book is also useful for postgraduate students wishing to conduct qualitative research in the context of an RCT.

*Shortlisted for the BPS Book Award 2014 in the Textbook Category* *Winner of the 2014 Distinguished Publication Award (DPA) from the Association for Women in Psychology (AWP)* Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners is an accessible, practical textbook. It sidesteps detailed theoretical discussion in favor of providing a comprehensive overview of strategic tips and skills for starting and completing successful qualitative research. Uniquely, the authors provide a "patterns framework" to qualitative data analysis in this book, also known as "thematic analysis." The authors walk students through a basic thematic approach, and compare and contrast this with other approaches. This discussion of commonalities, explaining why and when each method should be used, and in the context of looking at patterns, will provide students with complete confidence for their qualitative research journey. This textbook will be an essential textbook for undergraduates and postgraduates taking a course in qualitative research or using qualitative approaches in a research project.

This book is the road map to proficiency and development in the field of qualitative research. Borrowing from a wealth of experience teaching introductory qualitative research courses, author Kakali Bhattacharya lays out a dynamic program for learning different paradigms of inquiry, empowering students to recognize the convergence of popular research methodologies as well as the nuances and complexities that set each of them apart. Her book: supplements the readings and activities in a qualitative methods class, exposing students to the research process and the dominant types of qualitative research; introduces a variety of theoretical perspectives in qualitative research, including positivism and postpositivism, interpretivism, feminism, symbolic interactionism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical theory, and Critical Race Theory; identifies and summarizes the three dominant methodological approaches in qualitative research: narrative inquiry, grounded theory, and ethnography; provides interactive activities and exercises to help students crystallize their understanding of the different topics in each chapter.

Undertaking qualitative research in psychology can seem like a daunting and complex process, especially when it comes to selecting the most appropriate approach for your project. This book provides a comprehensive and practical introduction to the key approaches in qualitative psychology research from a world-leading group of academics and researchers. This Fourth Edition features timely updates that reflect the most current practice in the field. Jonathan A. Smith is Professor of Psychology at Birkbeck University of London.

A best-selling text written for the beginning qualitative researcher - theoretically rigorous, yet with an understandable perspective.