This book is designed to guide both new and more seasoned researchers through the steps of conceiving, designing, and implementing coherent research capable of generating new insights in clinical settings. Drawing from a variety of theoretical, methodological, and substantive strands, interpretive description provides a bridge between objective neutrality and abject theorizing, producing results that are academically credible, imaginative, and clinically practical. Replete with examples from a host of research settings in health care and other arenas, the volume will be an ideal text for applied research programs.

The first edition of Interpretive Description established itself as the key resource for novice and intermediate level researchers in applied settings for conducting a qualitative research project with practical outcomes. In the second edition, leading qualitative researcher Sally Thorne retains the clear, straightforward guidance for researchers and students in health, social service, mental health, and related fields. This new edition includes additional material on knowledge synthesis and integration, evidence-based practice, and data analysis. In addition, this book takes the reader through the qualitative research process, from research design through fieldwork, analysis, interpretation, and application of the results; provides numerous examples from a variety of applied fields to show research in action; uses an accessible style and affordable price to be the ideal book for teaching qualitative research in clinical and applied disciplines.

The first edition of Interpretive Description established itself as the key resource for novice and intermediate level researchers in applied settings for conducting a qualitative research project with practical outcomes. In the second edition, leading qualitative researcher Sally Thorne retains the clear, straightforward guidance for researchers and students in health, social service, mental health, and related fields. This new edition includes additional material on knowledge synthesis and integration, evidence-based practice, and data analysis. In addition, this book takes the reader through the qualitative research process, from research design through fieldwork, analysis, interpretation, and application of the results; provides numerous examples from a variety of applied fields to show research in action; uses an accessible style and affordable price to be the ideal book for teaching qualitative research in clinical and applied disciplines.

This easy-to-follow guide explains the most important principles that underlie a wide range of descriptive-interpretive approaches to qualitative research. Having read this book, readers will be able to tackle each phase of the research study, from initial design, through data collection and analysis, to writing up the final manuscript

"Willis catches the student up on relevant aspects of philosophy, empiricism, history, and prevailing political influences. This building of chronology is so valuable for students in understanding the origins of specific schools of thought in relations to a paradigm." —Heather T. Zeng, NACADA Foundations of Qualitative Research introduces key theoretical and epistemological concepts replete with historical and current real-world examples. Author Jerry W. Willis provides an invaluable resource to guide the critical and qualitative inquiry process written in an accessible and non-intimidating style that brings these otherwise difficult concepts to life. Key Features: Covers the conceptual foundations of interpretive, critical, and post-positivist paradigms: A thorough background of theory and social inquiry is given by looking at the development of each paradigm throughout history. Provides real-world examples: Cases illustrate different approaches to the same research problem so that students can better understand the contrasting features of these paradigms. Introduces seven qualitative research frameworks: In-depth coverage is provided on Altheide and Johnson′s Analytic Realism; Denzin and Lincoln′s Interpretive Perspective; Eisner′s Connoisseurship Model of Inquiry; Semiotics; the Phenomenological Psychological Model; Poststructuralism and Postmodernism; and Symbolic Interactionism. Offers general guidelines for qualitative research: Conceptually covers the best practices, approaches to data analysis, and interpretation of qualitative research. Examines emergent methods in qualitative research: New research areas such as PAR, emancipatory research, and participatory design research are included, as well as exemplary journal articles to further illustrate how theory links to research practice. Intended Audience: This text is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students taking their first or second qualitative research methods course in the fields of Education, Psychology, and the Health and Social Sciences. It is also an excellent theory companion supplement to the more applied qualitative methods text.

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For each case study, the authors discuss the geology and interpretation of the existing seismic coverage prior to the drilling of the VSP well, the well results and rationale behind recording the VSP data, the reevaluation of the surface-seismic coverage based on the VSP and associated well control, and the utility of the respective VSP survey.