In recent years, research in the social sciences has been dominated by the debate on the merits of qualitative method versus quantitative methodology. Until recently, the debate appeared to have been won by those promoting the qualitative approach, but then postmodern theory appeared on the scene, challenging all our preconceptions about research method. This book goes one step further than those working at the philosophical level, showing the implications of postmodernism for practice.

In recent years, research in the social sciences has been dominated by the debate on the merits of qualitative method versus quantitative methodology. Until recently, the debate appeared to have been won by those promoting the qualitative approach, but then postmodern theory appeared on the scene, challenging all our preconceptions about research method. This book goes one step further than those working at the philosophical level, showing the implications of postmodernism for practice.

Communication Research Methods in Postmodern Culture explores communication research from a postmodern perspective while retaining key qualitative and quantitative research methods. The author uses easy-to-understand language to incorporate new research methods inspired by contemporary culture and includes review questions and suggested activities designed to help readers understand and master communication research. The blend of new and traditional methods creates a book appropriate to the study of communication in an increasingly complex cultural environment.

A practical introduction to the main theories and methods of qualitative research for the health sciences is offered in this book. It covers the full range of conventional and new qualitative methods including ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, biography, action research, historical research, discourse analysis and postmodern, poststructuralist and femininst approaches to research. Carol Grbich shows that qualitative methods need to be followed just as rigorously as quantitative methods, providing examples drawn from various health fields. A practical introduction to the main theories and methods of qualitative research for the health sciences is offered in this book. It covers the full range of conventional and new qualitative methods including ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, biography, action research, historical research, discourse analysis and postmodern, poststructuralist and femininst approaches to research.

Qualitative Research is changing as a result of postmodern influences which have changed the way research is interpreted and understood. This has prompted questions which have been knocking at the door of qualitative research for some time now: Who is the researcher in this research account? How does the researcher relate to his/her research? How can the researcher who reads qualitative research relate to and understand the nuances and complexities in qualitative research? How can this volume help us to, not only describe, effect and manage change, but help us to understand, imagine and affect policies, practices and procedures related to research? What can we learn from researchers at the top of their stride who have struggled in order to develop qualitative research? The book includes illustrative interviews with world famous scholars. William Pinar, Norman Denzin, Henry Giroux, Zygmunt Bauman and Maxine Greene invite the student to engage reflectively and to figure out the rudiments and connections of research methodology and methods for theses. The developed so called “The Five Contexts” serves as a theoretical framework for conducting, understanding and interpreting qualitative research in a variety of disciplines in this post-modern era .

Introduction to mixed methods research -- Formulating questions, conducting a literature review, sampling design, and the centrality of ethics in mixed methods research -- A qualitative approach to mixed methods design, analysis, interpretation, writing up, and validity -- Interpretative approaches to mixed methods research -- Feminist approaches to mixed methods research -- Postmodernist approaches to mixed methods research, with Chris Kelly -- Putting it together: qualitative approaches to mixed methods research praxis -- Conclusion: the prospects and challenges of mixed methods praxis

'These sections represent the clearest rendition yet of these subjects, with difficult concepts introduced in a digestible form for the neophytic (or not so neophytic) researcher. Whilst in a book this size not every argument can be presented, there is ample extra material to be found to encourage further engagement... At the end of each chapter, there is a very useful Further Reading section provided by the authors, which gives useful guidelines. I believe to be an extremely useful text, which addresses what has until now been a significant gap in the market. This book will be my first choice in the future for introducing doctoral students of management-related subject to the philosophical underpinning they require for their studies. There is no other text which covers this area so clearly, so succinctly and in language that is readily accessible to a wide range of researcher back-grounds. I can enviSAGE this being a valuable source book to which researchers return again and again in order to deepen their understanding as research projects progress; it certainly provoked some new questions for me. To conclude, an excellent buy' - International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation This is an invaluable introduction for all students and researchers of management confronting a new research project. Understanding Management Research provides an overview of the principal epistemological debates in social science and how these lead to and are expressed in different ways of conceiving and undertaking organizational research. For researchers and students who are increasingly expected to adopt a reflexive understanding of their own epistemological position, the authors present a concise, accessible guide to the different perspectives available and their implications for research output. All students undertaking empirical research for theses and dissertations will find this book helps them comprehend the key ongoing debates and engage with their own pre-understandings when trying to make sense of management and organizations.