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Full-Text Articles in Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies

Considering "Objective" Possibilities In Autoethnography: A Critique Of Heewon Chang’S Autoethnography As Method1, Sue Butler Dec 2009

Considering "Objective" Possibilities In Autoethnography: A Critique Of Heewon Chang’S Autoethnography As Method1, Sue Butler

The Qualitative Report

Autoethnography is a qualitative research methodology that emphasizes a more personal, almost intimate level of study. It renders the researcher-participant opportunities to explore past and present experiences while gaining self-awareness of his or her interactions and their socio-cultural effects. In the book Autoethnography as Method Heewon Chang presents this research methodology in an easy to follow text and illustration, while advocating an objective approach to data collection and analysis. However, Chang’s theoretical positions seem to shift back and forth between this objective point-of-view and a subjective perspective throughout the text causing ambiguity and contradiction of ideas and approaches.


Neophyte Qualitative Researcher Finding His Voice Through Qualitative Journeys, Matthew K. Robison Dec 2009

Neophyte Qualitative Researcher Finding His Voice Through Qualitative Journeys, Matthew K. Robison

The Qualitative Report

If you are looking for a book written about the qualitative research experience, you can find it in Victor Minichiello and Jeffery A. Kottler’s (2010c) edited volume Qualitative Journeys: Student and Mentor Experiences with Research. For a neophyte qualitative researcher who is finding his voice as a budding qualitative scholar, this book serves as an inspiration. This easy-to-read book gives a firsthand look at what other new, and oftentimes struggling, qualitative researchers experienced as they began their research journeys. Overall, the book builds a sense of excitement and interest in the qualitative paradigm; and, after reading it, I am energized …


The Process Of Conducting Qualitative Grounded Theory Research For A Doctoral Thesis: Experiences And Reflections, Sophie Soklaridis Dec 2009

The Process Of Conducting Qualitative Grounded Theory Research For A Doctoral Thesis: Experiences And Reflections, Sophie Soklaridis

The Qualitative Report

In this article, the author offers her experiences as an example of the application of a grounded theory approach in qualitative research. She describes, in detail, her experiences of the process of collecting, analyzing, and storing data for her doctoral thesis. She focuses on the special challenges of employing a qualitative methodology to developing a conceptual framework. The substantive area in which the study took place was at a hospital-based occupational health clinic for professional artists. Various stakeholders involved in the clinic participated in in-depth individual interviews and focus groups to explore how the concept of integrative health care (IHC) …


Gaining Balance: Toward A Grounded Theory Of The Decision-Making Processes Of Applicants For Adoption Of Children With And Without Disabilities, Philip Burge, Margaret Jamieson Dec 2009

Gaining Balance: Toward A Grounded Theory Of The Decision-Making Processes Of Applicants For Adoption Of Children With And Without Disabilities, Philip Burge, Margaret Jamieson

The Qualitative Report

A grounded theory is presented of the decision-making processes among applicants when considering available children with and without disabilities for domestic public adoption. Using grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), data from 15 adoption applicants were analyzed followed the traditional three coding phases. The central category of Adoption Decision Making is labeled Gaining Balance and was the underpinning concept to all categories and sub-categories (i.e., in parentheses) of the theory: Commitment (e.g., motivation, financial considerations), Persistence (e.g., coping with emotions, counteracting pessimism), and Evaluation (e.g., assessments of personal abilities and resources, assessments of knowledge of potential adoptees' needs). The …


Comprehensive Yet "Passionate"— Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews, And Analysis (2nd Ed.) By Carol A. B. Warren And Tracy Xavia Karner, Angela Yehl Nov 2009

Comprehensive Yet "Passionate"— Discovering Qualitative Methods: Field Research, Interviews, And Analysis (2nd Ed.) By Carol A. B. Warren And Tracy Xavia Karner, Angela Yehl

The Qualitative Report

Warren and Karner’s (2010) second edition of Discovering Qualitative Methods provides the novice and/or student sociology researcher with a solid foundation in the historical and theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research as it is applied to the social sciences. Once the reader is grounded in the history and principles of qualitative research the book evolves into a rich, informative, "how-to" guide for those undertaking the complexities of contemporary qualitative research, including fieldwork, qualitative interviews, and collection of visual/textual and internet data.


Exploring Sheila Keegan’S World Of Commercial Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail Nov 2009

Exploring Sheila Keegan’S World Of Commercial Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

The world of commercial qualitative research reflects an emergent and exciting area of contemporary qualitative research which might not be all that familiar to academic qualitative researchers. Traditionally mentored in an oral and experiential fashion, the next generation of market qualitative researchers are benefiting from new books such as Sheila Keegan’s Qualitative Research: Good Decision Making through Understanding People, Cultures and Markets to learn how to address their clients’ needs for gaining insights into their customers’ perspectives. Academic-oriented qualitative researchers can also benefit from Keegan’s insights into this similar but different realm of qualitative inquiry


Forty Years In The Making: Harry Wolcott Shares His Expertise In Writing Up Qualitative Research, Gary M. Bowler Jr. Nov 2009

Forty Years In The Making: Harry Wolcott Shares His Expertise In Writing Up Qualitative Research, Gary M. Bowler Jr.

The Qualitative Report

Harry Wolcott’s major focus in the third edition of Writing Up Qualitative Research is on writing what has come to be known as qualitative or descriptive or naturalistic research. To this end Wolcott draws upon the experiences from his life in the field of qualitative inquiry from over the past 40 years to offer suggestions on every aspect of the writing process from the beginning to end of a qualitative research project. Wolcott discusses how to jump start the writing process by providing guidance ranging from when and how to begin, how to keep the writing process going, what to …


Online Interviewing: It’S Not As Simple As Point And Click, Robin Cooper Oct 2009

Online Interviewing: It’S Not As Simple As Point And Click, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

In Online Interviewing, Nalita James and Hugh Busher offer a thoughtful discussion of epistemological, methodological, and ethical considerations related to qualitative research in the online environment. They describe several forms of online interviews, as well as benefits and challenges associated with this form of research. The authors include practical tips for online researchers and examples from studies that employed online research methods.


Soup To Nuts In Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide By David Silverman And Amir Marvasti, Diana Riviera Oct 2009

Soup To Nuts In Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide By David Silverman And Amir Marvasti, Diana Riviera

The Qualitative Report

Doing Qualitative Research: A Comprehensive Guide by David Silverman and Amir Marvasti is a masterpiece for any graduate student looking for guidance in research and dissertation process. The authors provide extensive information on the entire research and dissertation procedure as well as offer tips to conquer the qualifying exam and the rewards and challenges to publishing post dissertation.


Quantum Of Solitude: Lonelines As Experienced By Pastors' Wives, Jama Davis, Frederick Milacci Oct 2009

Quantum Of Solitude: Lonelines As Experienced By Pastors' Wives, Jama Davis, Frederick Milacci

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This phenomenological study investigated the individual experiences of eight pastors’ wives with the phenomenon, loneliness. Data was collected using informal, conversational, taped and transcribed interviews. Descriptions of the experiences of loneliness and the general factors contributing to loneliness were identified by the participants. The experiences and general contributing factors were compared and contrasted. The findings of this study suggest three factors which most significantly impact pastors’ wives and loneliness. Suggestions for future research involving pastors’ wives and pastors are provided.


Entering Into A "Community" Of Experience And Meaning: A Review Of Interviewing For Education And Social Science Research: The Gateway Approach By Carolyn Lunsford Mears, Robin Cooper Sep 2009

Entering Into A "Community" Of Experience And Meaning: A Review Of Interviewing For Education And Social Science Research: The Gateway Approach By Carolyn Lunsford Mears, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

In Interviewing for Education and Social Science Research: The Gateway Approach, Carolyn Lunsford Mears outlines an approach to in-depth interviewing in qualitative research that draws upon educational criticism, oral history, and poetic display. Mears describes this narrator centered approach as including the development of an insider’s perspective and the use of excerpted narratives. She also provides useful guides and examples in the appendices to the book, making the text especially helpful to the novice qualitative researcher


Seeing The Forest Through The Trees: A Review Of Gibson And Brown’S Working With Qualitative Data, Jacquelyn Browne Sep 2009

Seeing The Forest Through The Trees: A Review Of Gibson And Brown’S Working With Qualitative Data, Jacquelyn Browne

The Qualitative Report

In their 2008 book, Working with Qualitative Data, Gibson and Brown introduce their readers to the notion that qualitative data analysis is more of an on-going process integral to the overall qualitative research process than a set of techniques or tools. In making this assertion, the authors help their audience connect analysis with theory, design, and final qualitative research report


The Proliferation Of Theoretical Paradigms Quandary: How One Novice Researcher Used Eclecticism As A Solution, David W. Stinson Sep 2009

The Proliferation Of Theoretical Paradigms Quandary: How One Novice Researcher Used Eclecticism As A Solution, David W. Stinson

The Qualitative Report

When a doctoral student plans to conduct qualitative education research, the aspect of the dissertation that often becomes problematic is determining which theoretical paradigm(s) might frame the study. In this article, the author discusses how he resolved the quandary through eclecticism. The author begins by describing briefly the purpose of his dissertation study, providing a justification for eclecticism in the selection of theories. He follows with a description of the three theories-poststructural theory, critical race theory, and critical theory-that framed his study and discusses briefly the methodology employed. The author concludes with a discussion of likely objections of his study …


"Dr. Right": Elderly Women In Pursuit Of Negotiated Health Care And Mutual Decision Making, Kevin Evans, Suzanne Robertson Sep 2009

"Dr. Right": Elderly Women In Pursuit Of Negotiated Health Care And Mutual Decision Making, Kevin Evans, Suzanne Robertson

The Qualitative Report

This study explores a group of elderly women who were searching for physicians that were interested in providing negotiated health care options with particular interest in mutual decision making. The grounded theory approach was used to explore the health care interactions between the physicians and the elderly women (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven women, 75 years and older. The categorical working title of "Looking for Dr. Right" helped to focus our discovery of the reasons for these women's search for a new physician. Grounded in the data, a proposed hypothesis was developed regarding the need …


How I Learned To Conduct Focus Groups, Maribel Del Rio-Roberts Aug 2009

How I Learned To Conduct Focus Groups, Maribel Del Rio-Roberts

The Qualitative Report

The use of focus groups may provide researchers with important insights into research questions via participant discussion and interaction. As a human services practitioner and researcher, I became interested in learning how to conduct focus groups in order to apply these steps to my research and gain valuable insights about the human experience that the focus group interaction aims to bring to light. In this review, I will highlight the steps that I took to learn to conduct focus group research and through my experience I hope that readers gain familiarity and clarity into this unique qualitative research approach.


Self-Reflection, Politics, Art, And Qualitative Research: A Review Of Denzin And Lincoln’S Third Edition Of Collecting And Interpreting Qualitative Materials, Silvia E. Rabionet Aug 2009

Self-Reflection, Politics, Art, And Qualitative Research: A Review Of Denzin And Lincoln’S Third Edition Of Collecting And Interpreting Qualitative Materials, Silvia E. Rabionet

The Qualitative Report

The third edition of Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials, edited by Norman K. Denzin and Yvonna S. Lincoln, illustrates the varied perspectives of twenty five experienced qualitative researchers focusing on collecting, analyzing, and interpreting empirical materials. New topics are introduced in this third edition capturing the dynamic nature and emerging trends in the field such as arts-based approaches. It is a great reference book and a resource of unlimited possibilities. It provides a window for further inquiry for beginners, intermediate and experienced qualitative researchers. Many of the chapters read as powerful essays provoking self-reflection, political involvement, activism, and alternate ways …


Life History Or How Ethics Can Turn Into A Research Methodology: A Review Of Ardra L. Cole And J. Gary Knowles' Lives In Context, Maria Papantoniou-Frangouli Aug 2009

Life History Or How Ethics Can Turn Into A Research Methodology: A Review Of Ardra L. Cole And J. Gary Knowles' Lives In Context, Maria Papantoniou-Frangouli

The Qualitative Report

Life history research described in the book, Lives in Context by Ardra L. Cole and J. Gary Knowles, constitutes an exercise of scholarship and at the same time of sensitivity towards "the other." The book represents a thorough account of a methodology that integrates the "ethical" as its leading dimension. The book consists of two parts. In the first part of the book the authors develop their approach to life history research. The second part includes articles of other researchers, who have put into practice similar perspectives.


Heat, Sweat, And Results: The Fruits Of Passion In Qualitative Research - A Review Of Salsa Dancing Into The Social Sciences By Kristin Luker, Sally St. George Jul 2009

Heat, Sweat, And Results: The Fruits Of Passion In Qualitative Research - A Review Of Salsa Dancing Into The Social Sciences By Kristin Luker, Sally St. George

The Qualitative Report

In Salsa Dancing into the Social Sciences: Research in an Age of Infoglut, Kristin Luker examines the metaphor of salsa dancing in learning and conducting qualitative research and explores its utility and uniqueness. She emphasizes the need for social scientists to look for greater connections in their work and to trust their instincts more. By increasing their passion Dr. Luker suggests researchers will be able to conduct studies that are more rigorous and more robustly presented.


Telling Tales: A Review Of C. K. Riessman’S Narrative Methods For The Human Sciences, Shelley Victor Jul 2009

Telling Tales: A Review Of C. K. Riessman’S Narrative Methods For The Human Sciences, Shelley Victor

The Qualitative Report

In the second iteration of her book on Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences, Riessman presents a clear, concise description of four methods of narrative analysis: thematic, structural, dialogic/performance, and visual. Each section is replete with narrative examples of interviews, conversations, archival and written documents, photographs, and drawings. Riessman uses selections from published narratives to exemplify the process of narrative analysis. This book is applicable and appropriate for a variety of professions in the social sciences.


An Exercise In Rigor: A Review Of Robert K. Yin’S Case Study Research Design And Methods, Crystal Daughtery Jul 2009

An Exercise In Rigor: A Review Of Robert K. Yin’S Case Study Research Design And Methods, Crystal Daughtery

The Qualitative Report

In his fourth edition of Case Study Research Design and Methods, Robert K. Yin continues to encourage the formation of better case study research. The text provides a technical yet practical guide to aid the committed researcher. It is an effort to promote rigor and to encourage the recognition of the limitations and awareness of the strengths of case study research. Throughout the text, Yin forthrightly addressed criticisms of the method and provided a solid defense of case study research and its breadth as a research method. An unexpected bonus of the text is found in the cross reference table …


Making Phenomenological Inquiry Accessible: A Review Of Jonathan A. Smith, Paul Flowers, And Michael Larkin’S Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method, And Research, Ronald J. Chenail Jun 2009

Making Phenomenological Inquiry Accessible: A Review Of Jonathan A. Smith, Paul Flowers, And Michael Larkin’S Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method, And Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Jonathan A. Smith, Paul Flowers, and Michael Larkin’s Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method, and Research is an accessible account of an emergent qualitative psychology methodology which has great potential for studying a variety of psychological areas as well as being applied to studies outside of the behavioral sciences. The authors avoid the complexity found in some texts on phenomenological inquiry and present a simple plan for conducting this style of research.


Whetting Beginning Qualitative Researchers’ Appetites: A Review Of Green And Thorogood’S Qualitative Methods For Health Research, Ronald J. Chenail Jun 2009

Whetting Beginning Qualitative Researchers’ Appetites: A Review Of Green And Thorogood’S Qualitative Methods For Health Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Selecting texts for introductory qualitative research courses can be a challenge given the depth, breadth, and variety of contemporary qualitative inquiry. The new edition of Green and Thorogood’s Qualitative Methods for Health Research presents a great choice for professors teaching courses across the health care spectrum due to its authors’ ability to give students a diverse buffet designed to whet appetites and increase hunger for more qualitative research nourishment.


Ethnographers At Microsoft: A Review Of Human-Computer Interaction: Development Process, Ronald J. Chenail Jun 2009

Ethnographers At Microsoft: A Review Of Human-Computer Interaction: Development Process, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative researchers and those with qualitative inquiry skills are finding tremendous employment opportunities in the world of technology design and development. Because of their abilities to observe and understand the experiences of end users in human-computer interactions, these researchers are helping companies using Contextual Design to create the next generation of products with the users clearly in mind. In Human-Computer Interaction: Development Process, the new edited book by Andrew Sears and Julie Jacko, the authors describe an array of models and methods incorporating qualitative research concepts and procedures that are being used in technology today and can have great potential …


A Review Of Corbin And Strauss’ Basics Of Qualitative Research: Techniques And Procedures For Developing Grounded Theory, Barbara Packer-Muti Jun 2009

A Review Of Corbin And Strauss’ Basics Of Qualitative Research: Techniques And Procedures For Developing Grounded Theory, Barbara Packer-Muti

The Qualitative Report

In the third edition of the classic text, Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, Juliet Corbin continues to present the basics of grounded theory in the context of an evolving world of qualitative research. In doing so she is able to share the traditional essences of the method as put forth in the first two editions while weaving in contemporary changes resulting from her reflections on emergent method, methodology, theory, and who she has become as a researcher


Giving Voice To The Results Of Your Study: A Review Of Authoring Your Life: Developing An Internal Voice To Navigate Life’S Challenges By Marcia B. Baxter Magolda, Robin Cooper May 2009

Giving Voice To The Results Of Your Study: A Review Of Authoring Your Life: Developing An Internal Voice To Navigate Life’S Challenges By Marcia B. Baxter Magolda, Robin Cooper

The Qualitative Report

In Authoring Your Life: Developing an Internal Voice to Navigate Life’s Challenges, Marcia B. Baxter Magolda offers a theory and model for building self-authorship through the development of an internal voice. Her primary audience is adults in their twenties and thirties, as well as their parents, peers, and employers. Qualitative researchers will also find the book of interest as a unique example of reporting results of a study in an original format.


The Road Less Traveled: A Review Of Anfara And Mertz’S Theoretical Frameworks In Qualitative Research, Candace H. Lacey Apr 2009

The Road Less Traveled: A Review Of Anfara And Mertz’S Theoretical Frameworks In Qualitative Research, Candace H. Lacey

The Qualitative Report

Editors Anfara and Mertz travel a new road with their tidy little book, Theoretical Frameworks in Qualitative Research. This tightly edited book begins by providing an up-close look at the process of taking a book from the germination of an idea to the delivery of the final product. As noted in the introduction, "To understand a theory is to travel into someone else’s mind." Most of the book clears the path toward that journey by presenting a sampler of chapters focusing on the use of theoretical frameworks in actual qualitative research studies. Finally, the editors bring the book full circle …


Face-To-Face In Writing: My First Attempt At Conducting A Text-Based Online Focus Group, Steven R. Terrell Apr 2009

Face-To-Face In Writing: My First Attempt At Conducting A Text-Based Online Focus Group, Steven R. Terrell

The Qualitative Report

Having completed graduate degrees in educational research and counseling, I have studied the theory of focus groups and participated in many while in a classroom setting. Interestingly, I had never moderated one until my first attempt in a text-based online environment. This paper describes my preparation for the session as well as the issues I faced while actually conducted the focus group. Readers will find that being prepared by establishing rapport with their group prior to the event, understanding the change of dynamics that distance brings to the process and handling the pressures of an expanded role as moderator, will …


The Role Of Qualitative Methods In Early Childhood Education: A Review Of J. Amos Hatch’S Early Childhood Qualitative Research, Maribel Del Rio-Roberts Apr 2009

The Role Of Qualitative Methods In Early Childhood Education: A Review Of J. Amos Hatch’S Early Childhood Qualitative Research, Maribel Del Rio-Roberts

The Qualitative Report

Early Childhood Qualitative Research is an edited book that captures the importance of conducting educational research and the significance of such research being scholarly and rigorous. In addition, this book does a phenomenal job of stressing the importance of giving participants in educational research a voice to describe their experiences is stressed, including the experiences of classroom teachers. The aim to provide professionals in the early childhood arena an opportunity to see different perspectives than they make typically be exposed to and to provide them with opportunities to critique current practices, in order to enhance qualitative research practices in the …


Communicating Qualitative Analytical Results Following Grice’S Conversational Maxims, Jan S. Chenail, Ronald J. Chenail Mar 2009

Communicating Qualitative Analytical Results Following Grice’S Conversational Maxims, Jan S. Chenail, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

Conducting qualitative research can be seen as a developing communication act through which researchers engage in a variety of conversations. Articulating the results of qualitative data analysis results can be an especially challenging part of this scholarly discussion for qualitative researchers. To help guide investigators through this difficult communicative process, the authors suggest Grice’s (1989) Conversational Maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relation, and Manner as general guidelines to follow when formulating and presenting findings in qualitative research products as well as basic assumptions to guide readers when judging the quality of result representations.


Qualitative Research Like Politics Can Also Be Local: A Review Of Interdisciplinary Standards For Systematic Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail Mar 2009

Qualitative Research Like Politics Can Also Be Local: A Review Of Interdisciplinary Standards For Systematic Qualitative Research, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

The political nature of defining what constitutes standards of rigor and quality in qualitative research comes to the forefront again in Lamont and Whites’ (2008) new report, Interdisciplinary Standards for Systematic Qualitative Research. Based upon a 2005 National Science Foundation (NSF) funded workshop for representatives from NSF’s Cultural Anthropology, Law and Social Science, Political Science, and Sociology programs, Lamont, White, and their colleagues share perspectives on what they see as strengths, standards, and opportunities for qualitative research today and in the near future. Although this manuscript might not allay the fears of those in the field concerned over the "conservative …