Rather than being a how-to book, this volume examines the ideas and practices of qualitative research in terms of their applicability for an understanding and explanation of the place of qualitative research in the social sciences.

Series: a href=http://www.oupcanada.com/tcs/"Themes in Canadian Sociology/a Qualitative Research in Action emphasizes that dynamism and flexibility are the cornerstones of qualitative research. Bringing the stages of research to life with a wide array of examples drawn from actual studies, the text guides students through the processes of finding inspiration and developing questions; gathering, coding, and analyzing data; and writing up results."

Anyone conducting qualitative research in education will be heartened and inspired by this collection, and will also find in it invaluable guidance.

Now in its fourth edition, Qualitative Research in Action continues to offer students a concise, clear introduction to the diverse world of qualitative research. Throughout this compelling work, Deborah K. van den Hoonaard and new co-author Lisa-Jo ven den Scott bring the research process to life by exploring a wide array of examples drawn from actual studies, including their own research experiences.

Participatory Action Research (PAR) introduces a method that is ideal for researchers who are committed to co-developing research programs with people rather than for people. The book provides a history of this technique, its various strands, and the underlying tenets that guide most projects. It then draws on two PAR projects that highlight three integral dimensions: the meaning of participation; the way action manifests itself; and the strategies for gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information. Author Alice McIntyre describes the various ways in which PAR is carried out depending on, for example, the issue under investigation, the site of the project, the project participants, people's access to resources, and other related issues. Intended Audience: This resource is an ideal supplement for graduate courses PAR, qualitative research, and various types of action-based research.

Fresh, insightful and clear, this exciting textbook provides an engaging introduction to the application of qualitative methodology in the real world. Expert researchers then trace the history and philosophical underpinnings of different methodologies, explore the specific demands each places upon the researcher and robustly set out relevant issues surrounding quality and rigor. Featured methodologies include action research, discourse analysis, ethnography, grounded theory, case studies and narrative inquiry. This practical book provides a helpful guide to the research process - it introduces the relevant methods of generating, collecting and analysing data for each discrete methodology and then looks at best practice for presenting findings. This enables new researchers to compare qualitative methods and to confidently select the approach most appropriate for their own research projects. Key features include: Summary table for each chapter - allowing quick checks to test knowledge ′Window into′ sections - real world examples showing each methodology in action Student activities Learning objectives Full glossary Annotated suggestions for further reading Links to downloadable SAGE articles Links to relevant websites and organizations This is an invaluable resource for students and researchers across the social sciences and a must-have guide for those embarking on a research project.