Drawing on more than 40 years of experience conducting applied social science research and program evaluation, author Michael Quinn Patton has crafted the most comprehensive and systematic book on qualitative research and evaluation methods, inquiry frameworks, and analysis options available today. Now offering more balance between applied research and evaluation, this Fourth Edition illuminates all aspects of qualitative inquiry through new examples, stories, and cartoons; more than a hundred new summarizing and synthesizing exhibits; and a wide range of new highlight sections/sidebars that elaborate on important and emergent issues. For the first time, full case studies are included to illustrate extended research and evaluation examples. In addition, each chapter features an extended "rumination," written in a voice and style more emphatic and engaging than traditional textbook style, about a core issue of persistent debate and controversy.

Introduces the reader to qualitative approaches--a major development in the field of evaluation during the last decade. This volume presents an introduction to the approach--differentiates it in the method and philosophy from more traditional quantitative methods; specifies the kinds of evaluation questions for which it is most appropriate; and explains the design decisions and sampling strategies which underlie its implementation. Step-by-step guides for planning and conducting fieldwork and observations; doing in-depth interviewing; analyzing, interpreting and reporting results; and many examples--from a wide range of disciplines and professions--clarify the use of qualitative methods in evaluations.

In Unstable and Brittle Diabetes, Geoff Gill brings together research on the management of brittle diabetes (or erratic glucose control), which is a controversial area in terms of definition and management and one that creates much debate among diabetologists. This monograph aims to help the diabetologist understand this troublesome condition.

Updated to align with the American Psychological Association and the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education accreditation requirements. Focused on increasing the credibility of research and evaluation, the Fifth Edition of Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology: Integrating Diversity with Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods incorporates the viewpoints of various research paradigms into its descriptions of these methods. Students will learn to identify, evaluate, and practice good research, with special emphasis on conducting research in culturally complex communities, based on the perspectives of women, LGBTQ communities, ethnic/racial minorities, and people with disabilities. In each chapter, Dr. Donna M. Mertens carefully explains a step of the research process—from the literature review to analysis and reporting—and includes a sample study and abstract to illustrate the concepts discussed. The new edition includes over 30 new research studies and contemporary examples to demonstrate research methods including: Black girls and school discipline: The complexities of being overrepresented and understudied (Annamma, S.A., Anyon, Y., Joseph, N.M., Farrar, J., Greer, E., Downing, B., & Simmons, J.) Learning Cooperatively under Challenging Circumstances: Cooperation among Students in High-Risk Contexts in El Salvador (Christine Schmalenbach) Replicated Evidence of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Disability Identification in U.S. Schools (Morgan, et. al.) Relation of white-matter microstructure to reading ability and disability in beginning readers (Christodoulu, et. al.) Arts and mixed methods research: an innovative methodological merger (Archibald, M.M. & Gerber, N.)

Integrate qualitative inquiry approaches and methods into the practice of evaluation Qualitative inquiry can have a major effect on evaluation practice, and provides evaluators a means to explore and examine various settings and contexts in need of rich description and deeper understanding. Qualitative Inquiry in Evaluation: From Theory to Practice explores the most important considerations for both students and evaluation professionals. Using various evaluation theories and approaches as a springboard for real-world practice, this reference serves as an accessible text for beginning students and seasoned professionals alike. Readers are given an in-depth view of the key qualities and benefits of qualitative inquiry, which also serves as a crucial counterpart to quantitative analysis. Chapters in part one focus on the foundations, core concepts, and intersection of evaluation theory and qualitative inquiry. Part two contains contributions from leading evaluators whose design, implementation, and reporting strategies for qualitative inquiry are centered on common, real-world settings. These case-based chapters point to the strengths and challenges of implementing qualitative evaluations. Key competencies for conducting effective qualitative evaluations are also discussed. Explores the role of qualitative inquiry in many prominent approaches to evaluation Discusses the method's history and delves into key concepts in qualitative inquiry and evaluation Helps readers understand which qualities are necessary to be an effective qualitative evaluator Presents the viewpoints and experiences of expert editors and contributing authors with high levels of understanding on the topic Qualitative Inquiry in Evaluation: From Theory to Practice is a vital tool for evaluators and students alike who are looking to deepen their understanding of the theoretical perspectives and practice considerations of qualitative evaluation.

`Comprehensive, current and compelling, a winning combination for any research student or practitioner interested in increasing his/her knowledge about qualitative methods as they apply to business research' - The Qualitative Report Covering all the major qualitative approaches in business studies (including case study research, ethnography, narrative inquiry, discourse analysis, grounded theory and action research), this practical how-to guide shows how qualitative methods are used within management, marketing, organizational studies and accounting. Within each approach, the authors consider crucial issues such as framing the research, generating research questions, getting access, collecting empirical materials, reporting the results and evaluating the research. Original case studies drawn from around the world are included throughout to demonstrate the practical applications of the methods discussed.