Qualitative research has never been a popular research design within Malaysian academics and research environment. Understanding the convention and fundamentals of conducting a qualitative research is important as it offers a different approach and generates a range of information of different quality from the quantitative approach. The compilation of the five articles included in this book has been carefully selected so that this book of reading represents different issues and problems that may arise when conducting a qualitative research. This book provides a good description of the research processes and issues that may also be encountered by other researchers especially those that are novice in qualitative research. The readings of the different research compiled in this book will hopefully contribute to the growing field of qualitative research as a research design among educators, researchers and professionals in Malaysia.

This book for anyone who wants to undertake an engaging, satisfying, productive, and a more successful career as a qualitative researcher. This book is intended to contribute to the popularisation of qualitative research in Malaysia. Qualitative studies in educational research are very limited in many countries; and to date, there has been very little work done using this form of educational inquiry in Malaysia. The dominant tradition has followed the positivist paradigm. A qualitative case study offers a different approach and generates a range of information of different qualities from that obtained using traditional approaches. This book provides both the theories and practical practices to undertake a qualitative study. The conception of this book began from the assumption that our world is interpreted through language as means of communication and understanding. Writing narratives of experience is becoming a common way of describing how people make sense of their experience or problems at hand. At the root of the naturalistic inquiry exhibited in this book, is an interest in understanding the experience of learners and the meanings they make of the distance learning experience at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). This study was designed as a single case focusing on distance learners of different backgrounds in UUM.

Qualitative Research: Data Collection & Data Analysis Techniques is especially written for anyone who is interested in doing or learning more about qualitative research methods. The reader-friendly organisation and writing style of the book makes it accessible to everyone-academics,professionals, undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers, and even for those who are just beginning to explore the field of qualitative research. Each chapter provides a clear, contextualized and comprehensive coverage of the main qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, observations, diary studies, archival document, and content analysis) and will thus equip readers with a thorough understanding of the steps and skills to undertake qualitative research effectively. Bringing together qualitative research scholars from three different tertiary institutions in the country – Associate Prof Dr. Puvensvary Muthiah, Dr. Radziah Abdul Rahim, Puan Noor Hashima Abd Aziz, and Noor Fadhilah Mat Nayan, from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mastura Badzis from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and R. Sivabala Naidu from Darulaman Teacher Training Institute, this book addresses some of the most important questions facing students and researchers in qualitative research

Doing Qualitative Research in Education Settings, Second Edition is a methods book that speaks directly to qualitative researchers in the field of education, providing a step-by-step guide to the development of a research project. Written in accessible language, the book emphasizes learning how to do qualitative work. Specific examples from real studies, using real data and demonstrating real analyses, are provided throughout. The book is designed to guide doctoral candidates through the dissertation process, from unpacking assumptions and identifying research questions, through project design, data collection and analysis, to writing the final draft. Recommendations for publishing qualitative work are included. New to the second edition are a comprehensive updating of citations and references, new sections addressing the impact of computer-mediated communication (especially as related to data collection and analysis), an overview of the recent history of qualitative research, and an overall refresh that acknowledges the many changes that have occurred in society and academe since the original publication.

Qualitative Research: Data Collection & Data Analysis Techniques (2nd Edition) has been systematically revised with additional content, more in-depth explanations, and latest references to enhance the knowledge and skills required for those interested in conducting qualitative research. The reader-friendly organisation and writing style of this edition provides guaranteed accessibility to a wide array of readers ranging from established scholars to novice researchers and undergraduates. Each chapter in this edition is set to provide a clear, contextualised and comprehensive coverage of the main qualitative research methods (interviews, focus groups, observations, diary studies, archival document analysis, and content analysis) aimed at equipping readers with a thorough understanding of the design, procedures and skills to effectively undertake qualitative research. At the same time, the authors have anticipated major concerns such as ethical issues that qualitative researchers often face and addressed them in the various chapters. This effort has been made possible through the collaboration involving notable qualitative research scholars from different tertiary institutions – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Puvensvary Muthiah (ELT Consultant), Dr. R. Sivabala Naidu (Taylor’s College), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mastura Badzis (International Islamic University Malaysia), Dr. Radziah Abdul Rahim (formerly attached to National Defense University of Malaysia), Dr. Noor Fadhilah Mat Nayan (University of Reading), and Assoc. Prof. Noor Hashima Abd Aziz (Universiti Utara Malaysia).

The bestselling guide to qualitative research, updated and expanded Qualitative Research is the essential guide to understanding, designing, conducting, and presenting a qualitative research study. This fourth edition features new material covering mixed methods, action research, arts-based research, online data sources, and the latest in data analysis, including data analysis software packages as well as narrative and poetic analysis strategies. A new section offers multiple ways of presenting qualitative research findings. The reader-friendly, jargon-free style makes this book accessible to both novice and experienced researchers, emphasizing the role of a theoretical framework in designing a study while providing practical guidance. Qualitative research reaches beyond the what, where, and when of quantitative analysis to investigate the why and how behind human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior, but this presents a number of significant challenges. This guide is an invaluable reference for students and practitioners alike, providing the deep understanding that this sometimes difficult area of research requires to produce accurate results. The book contains a step-by-step guide to analyzing qualitative data and an addendum for graduate students with a template for a thesis, dissertation, or grant application. Build a strong foundation in qualitative research theory and application Design and implement effective qualitative research studies Communicate findings more successfully with clear presentation Explore data sources, data analysis tools, and the different types of research