This is a book for the qualitative methods course taught out of sociology. It is aimed at students who are new to the field, and is suitable for both undergraduates and graduates. The authors first provide a brief history of the origins, theoretical underpinnings, and importance of qualitativeresearch methods; next, they address the specifics of field research and interviews. This book can serve as a main text in a qualitative methods course, as a supplementary text for a general methods course, or as a guide for senior seminar and thesis students working on qualitative research.

In Discovering Qualitative Methods, Third Edition, researchers Carol A. B. Warren and Tracy Xavia Karner emphasize the process of social research--from the initial idea to the final paper, journal article, or scholarly monograph. Establishing the theoretical underpinnings and applications of qualitative research, the authors offer comprehensive yet straightforward coverage that includes the major types of qualitative analysis: field research or ethnography, interviews, documents, and images. They also discuss the historical background and evolution of research practices, in turn teaching students how to generate and develop their own rigorous practices. A thorough, versatile text, Discovering Qualitative Methods, Third Edition, is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in qualitative methods and general research methods. It is also appropriate for qualitative methods courses in other social science disciplines including anthropology, business, communications, education, journalism, and social work.

This study presents a student-friendly introduction to the principal research methodology techniques of psychology. Using a narrative approach, the text explains the complexities of research and the vital role it has played in the development of the field.

Social researchers increasingly find themselves looking beyond conventional methods to address complex research questions. This is the first book to comprehensively examine emergent qualitative and quantitative theories and methods across the social and behavioral sciences. Providing scholars and students with a way to retool their research choices, the volume presents cutting-edge approaches to data collection, analysis, and representation. Leading researchers describe alternative uses of traditional quantitative and qualitative tools; innovative hybrid or mixed methods; and new techniques facilitated by technological advances. Consistently formatted chapters explore the strengths and limitations of each method for studying different types of research questions and offer practical, in-depth examples.

Within the developing model of academic research, a notable shift is underway—an insistent pull towards unraveling the elusive 'why' that accompanies the 'what' in phenomena. While quantitative research methods yield statistical insights and broad generalizability, a yearning for depth, context, and a nuanced exploration of human experiences persists. This yearning gives birth to a challenge: how can scholars, students, and professionals equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and tools to navigate the intricate realm of qualitative inquiry? Enter a groundbreaking solution Foundational Theories and Practical Applications of Qualitative Research Methodology. This compelling volume takes readers on a transformative intellectual journey, offering a comprehensive guide to the foundational theories and practical applications of qualitative research methodology. Designed to cater to both novices and seasoned researchers, the primary goal is to empower readers with the knowledge and tools essential for designing, conducting, and interpreting qualitative studies. The book bridges the theoretical and practical realms by providing real-world examples, case studies, and practical tips. Whether you are an undergraduate exploring qualitative methods or a seasoned doctoral researcher immersed in complex ethnographic studies, this book is meticulously crafted to meet your needs.

This volume provides an essential roster of primary research methods as they apply to health communication inquiry. Editor Bryan B. Whaley brings together key health communication researchers to write about their primary methodological areas. Their chapters offer guidance and insights for a variety of approaches to answering research questions. The methods included here cover: Exploration and Description: interview/focus groups, case study, ethnography, and surveys; Examining Messages and Interpersonal Exchanges: narrative analysis, conversational analysis, analyzing physician-patient interactions, social network analysis, and content analysis; Causal Explication: experimental research, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis; and Cultural, Population, and Critical Concerns: rhetorical methods and criticism, and methodological issues when investigating stigmatized populations, and groups with health disparities. Chapters cite or use examples from allied health areas -- nursing, public health, sociology, medicine -- to demonstrate the breadth of health communication studies. This work highlights the importance of methodology in health communication research in multiple contexts. Developed to provide a fundamental reference for investigating health communication, this volume will serve as an invaluable tool for researchers and students across the social science and health disciplines.