Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach / Edition 3

by Joseph A. Maxwell

Overview

Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach, Third Edition provides researchers and students with a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to planning qualitative research. Joseph A. Maxwell shows how the components of design interact with each other, and provides a strategy for creating coherent and workable relationships among these design components, highlighting key design issues. Written in an informal, jargon-free style, the book incorporates examples and hands-on exercises.

"This book uses everyday language that will captivate students' attention and embed practical knowledge to supplement the technical. "
                                       —Gaetane Jean-Marie, University of Oklahoma

"The key strengths of the text are the passion and the enthusiasm that Dr. Maxwell has for qualitative research after all these years. I feel I can also utilize these concepts on my own research team and take them out of the classroom and into research team meetings with colleagues. "
                                       —Deborah Gioia, University of Maryland, Baltimore

"I really liked this book. I found myself taking notes and saying "yes" so many times because Maxwell captures the research process so well and provides many points worth quoting. As a faculty mentor, I particularly see the value of this book for my students who are conducting qualitative dissertations. "
                                       —Mary S. Enright, Capella University

"The text is incredibly engaging and practical...So many of the issues raised in the book are central to qualitative research, yet often not explicitly discussed in 'public' venues. "
                                       - David Carlone, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

"I particularly like the interactive focus and believe that helps students to more realistically engage qualitative research design.  It certainly lives up to its billing as a good guidebook, and I appreciate the fact that the author really concentrates on useful content, exercises, insights, and examples, and leaves extensive theory discussions to others. "
                                        - Sharon L. Caudle, Texas A & M University

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412981194
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	06/08/2012
Series:	Applied Social Research Methods , #41
Edition description:	Third Edition
Pages:	232
Sales rank:	373,405
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Joseph A. Maxwell is a Professor (Emeritus) in the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University, where he taught courses on qualitative and mixed methods research. He is the author of Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach (3rd ed.; SAGE, 2013), A Realist Approach for Qualitative Research (SAGE, 2012), and papers on qualitative and mixed methods research, program evaluation, sociocultural theory, Native American societies, and medical education. He has a Ph D in anthropology from the University of Chicago.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. A Model for Qualitative Research Design
Chapter 2. Goals: Why Are You Doing This Study?
Chapter 3. Conceptual Framework: What Do You Think Is Going On?
Chapter 4. Research Questions: What Do You Want to Understand?
Chapter 5. Methods: What Will You Actually Do?
Chapter 6. Validity: How Might You Be Wrong?
Chapter 7. Research Proposals: Presenting and Justifying a Qualitative Study
Appendix A. A Proposal for a Study of Medical School Teaching
Appendix B. A Proposal for a Study of Online Learning by Teachers

Editorial Reviews

The key strengths of the text are the passion and the enthusiasm that Dr. Maxwell has for qualitative research after all these years. I feel I can also utilize these concepts on my own research team and take them out of the classroom and into research team meetings with colleagues.”

Deborah Gioia

"Maxwell provides a clear explanation regarding the nuances involved in the circular process of qualitative research design."

Tracy M. Lara

I really liked this book. I found myself taking notes and saying “yes” so many times because Maxwell captures the research process so well and provides many points worth quoting. As a faculty mentor, I particularly see the value of this book for my students who are conducting qualitative dissertations.

Mary S. Enright

This book uses everyday language that will captivate students’ attention and embed practical knowledge to supplement the technical.”

Gaetane Jean-Marie

"Maxwell provides a clear explanation regarding the nuances involved in the circular process of qualitative research design."--Tracy M. Lara

"I really liked this book. I found myself taking notes and saying "yes" so many times because Maxwell captures the research process so well and provides many points worth quoting. As a faculty mentor, I particularly see the value of this book for my students who are conducting qualitative dissertations."--Mary S. Enright

"The key strengths of the text are the passion and the enthusiasm that Dr. Maxwell has for qualitative research after all these years. I feel I can also utilize these concepts on my own research team and take them out of the classroom and into research team meetings with colleagues."

--Deborah Gioia

"This book uses everyday language that will captivate students' attention and embed practical knowledge to supplement the technical."

--Gaetane Jean-Marie

From the Publisher

After teaching qualitative research design and methods for seven years at Harvard, Maxwell has come to the conclusion that thoughtful research design should precede proposal writing, a turn of events unique in conducting qualitative research. He presents his approach by defining what researchers really do, from constructing a theoretical framework and deciding on data collection methods to anticipating potential validity threats to a conclusion. Paper edition (unseen), $17.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"The practical checklists, exercises, stories and scripts, together with the analogies with quantitative research, are extremely useful in helping both graduate students and novice researchers conduct qualitative research. Experienced researcher, too, can find the book helpful, especially in writing proposals for funding."

Comparative Book Review - Marzieh Tafaghodtari

"Nice, easy to read, step by step process-oriented text for undergrads."

Kim Powell

"Using sage advise and specific examples directly from his research methods courses and actual dissertation proposals, the author provides an easy-to-read guide to many of the design issues that often seem vague, mysterious, and daunting to novices when planning qualitative studies. Maxwell delivers on his promise to present "an approach to qualitative research design that both captures what qualitative researchers really do, and provides support and guidance for those embarking for the first time on designing a qualitative study ". He creatively uses folktales, movie plots, real-life examples, and the personal stories of graduate students to bring out his and the students' passions for qualitative research."

Karen Skibba