Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

by Melissa Freeman

Overview

Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis argues for engagement with the conceptual underpinnings of five prominent analytical strategies used by qualitative researchers: Categorical Thinking, Narrative Thinking, Dialectical Thinking, Poetical Thinking, and Diagrammatical Thinking. By presenting such disparate modes of research in the space of a single text, Freeman not only draws attention to the distinct methodological and theoretical contributions of each, she also establishes a platform for choosing among particular research strategies by virtue of their strengths and limitations. Experienced qualitative researchers, novices, and graduate students from many disciplines will gain new insight from the theory-practice relationship of analysis advanced in this text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032472331
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/19/2025
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Melissa Freeman is Professor of Qualitative Research Methodologies in the College of Education at The University of Georgia.

Table of Contents

Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Preface

1. Introduction

Why Focus on Analysis?

Thinking, not Thought

Brief Introduction to the Modes of Thinking

Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

The Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation

2. Categorical Thinking

Introduction to Categorical Thinking

Characteristics of Categorical Thinking

Categorical Thinking in Practice

Deciding on Categorical Thinking for Analysis

3. Narrative Thinking

Introduction to Narrative Thinking

Characteristics of Narrative Thinking

Narrative Thinking in Practice

Deciding on Narrative Thinking for Analysis

4. Dialectical Thinking

Introduction to Dialectical Thinking

Characteristics of Dialectical Thinking

Dialectical Thinking in Practice

Deciding on Dialectical Thinking for Analysis

5. Poetical Thinking

Introduction to Poetical Thinking

Characteristics of Poetical Thinking

Poetical Thinking in Practice

Deciding on Poetical Thinking for Analysis

6. Diagrammatical Thinking

Introduction to Diagrammatical Thinking

Characteristics of Diagrammatical Thinking

Diagrammatical Thinking in Practice

Deciding on Diagrammatical Thinking for Analysis

7. Teaching Qualitative Analysis

On Diversity

On Tradition

On Reflexive Dialogical Practice

Final Thoughts

List of Tables and Figures

Table 1.1: Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis page xx

Table 4.1: Two Approaches to Dialectical Thinking in Practice page xx

Figure 1.1: Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation page xx

Figure 2.1: Connecting Categories to Concepts page xx

Figure 3.1: Dimensions of Plot page xx

Figure 4.1: Dialectical Friction and Emergence page xx

Figure 5.1: Poetics as Infinite Dialogue page xx

Figure 6.1: A Phenomenon Becoming page xx

Editorial Reviews

"We’ve long needed this book, a book which would take students and scholars alike through the complex process of doing qualitative analysis. Melissa Freeman’s Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis meets these needs. Its creative, comparative focus on forms of thinking, from categorical, to narrative, dialectical, poetical, diagrammatical, opens new windows on how to interpret empirical material." – Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

"Melissa Freeman has developed a compelling typology for understanding qualitative work... Her work counters the standard classifications which connect methods with a particular methodology or tradition and leads to confusion. Instead, she argues persuasively, and with examples, that for a truly reflexive stance and a critical understanding of research, researchers must engage in "pentimento," or must see again, to understand essences and create innovative possibilities." - Lynn Butler-Kisber, McGill University

From the Publisher