Learning in the Field: An Introduction to Qualitative Research by Sharon F. Rallis, Sharon F. Rallis, Rallis Sharon

From the Publisher

"What sets this book apart is its skillful integration of both the scientific and artistic dimensions of qualitative research."

--From the foreword by Michael Quinn Patton, author of Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods, Third Edition

--Alison A. Carr-Chellman, Instructional Systems, Penn State University

"This is a clearly written and straightforward introduction to qualitative research. The central themes of the book--that qualitative research is learning and qualitative researchers are learners--move the text beyond the 'how to do it' in ways that can be helpful for 'seasoned' qualitative researchers as well as beginners. Thinking about qualitative research as a process of learning--about social phenomena, about participants, about oneself--is a very powerful pedagogical and methodological approach."

--Elizabeth J. Whitt, College of Education, University of Iowa

The popular text that helped readers better understand and practice qualitative research has been completely updated and revised while retainingthe features that made the First Edition so useful.

• Chapter 3 on the ethics and politics of qualitative research
• Chapter 4 on choosing the locus of interest among the major qualitative research approaches
• Chapter 10 expanded to provide detailed instructions for organizing, coding, interpreting, and analyzing data

To help readers better visualize and grasp the concepts, issues, and complexities of qualitative inquiry, the authors introduce each chapter with discussions among three "characters"--students whose research projects demonstrate the challenges and excitement of qualitative research. Woven into the chapters and the characters' stories are three themes that make up the tapestry of qualitative research: First, research is a learning process. Second, research can and should be useful. Finally, a researcher needs to have a clear vision of the audience and purpose of a study.

Also added to this edition:

• Chapters 8 and 11 present examples of the three student characters' data and analysis
• Concept boxes highlight major themes and issues and summarize important principles
• End-of-chapter study questions and activities

--Johnny Saldana, Theatre Department, Arizona State University

Booknews

An introduction to qualitative methods for graduate students, going beyond the fundamental tools to explore personal qualities of a good researcher, such as humility, comfort with ambiguity, and curiosity about and respect for the experiences of others. After two chapters defining and contextualizing qualitative research, coverage encompasses the entire research process from designing a study to writing it up. The experiences of three fictional students are described through vignettes and dialogues. Appendices develop the preliminary data analysis of these characters and describe their studies and interpretations. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Product Details

• ISBN: 0761926518
  
• ISBN-13: 9780761926511
• Format: Textbook Paperback, 392pp
• Publisher: Sage Publications (CA)
• Pub. Date: January 2003
• Edition Description: Second Edition
• Edition Number: 2
• Sales Rank: 68,828

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents