A Guide to Qualitative Field Research

A Guide to Qualitative Field Research provides readers with clear, practical, and specific instructions for conducting qualitative research in the field. In the expanded Third Edition, Carol A. Bailey gives increased attention to the early and last stages of field research, often the most difficult: selecting a topic, deciding upon the purpose of your research, and writing the final paper, all in her signature reader-friendly writing style.

Revised edition of the author's A guide to qualitative field research, 2007.

List of Tables, Figures, and PhotographsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorChapter 1. Introduction to Qualitative Field Research Objectives Overview Examples of Field Research Major Features of Field Research Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 2. Ethics Objectives Informed Consent Deception Confidentiality Relationships Ethics in Virtual Field Research Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 3. Topic, Purpose, and Research Questions Objectives Research Topic Purpose of Research Research Questions Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 4. Theory and Review of Literature Objectives Concepts Theory Review of Literature Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 5. Paradigms, Research Design, and Introduction to Methodology Objectives Proposal Paradigms Research Design Methodology Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 6. From Gaining Entrée to Exiting the Field Objectives Gaining Entrée and Gatekeepers Preparations Arrival in the Field Key Actors Field Relationships Time in the Field Leaving the Field Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 7. Observations Objectives Should I Conduct Covert or Overt Observations? Should I Only Observe or Participate Fully When Observing? Where Should I Observe? Should My Observations Be Structured or Unstructured? What Should I Observe? Research Questions Unit of Analysis Ethics Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 8. Interviews Objectives Types of Interviews Question Construction Interview Questions and Research Questions Location of the Interview Rapport Ethics Status Characteristics Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews After the Interview Sampling Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 9. Field Notes Objectives Purposes of Field Notes Taking Field Notes Field Note Content Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommend ReadingChapter 10. Procedures for Increasing Validity and Trustworthiness Objectives Validity and Trustworthiness Strategies for Enhancing Validity and Trustworthiness Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 11. Introduction to Analysis and Coding Objectives Analysis Coding Practical Aspects of Coding Coding and Grounded Theory Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 12. Descriptions and Typologies Objectives Descriptions Typologies Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 13. Thematic Analysis Objectives Purposes of a Thematic Analysis What Are Themes? Identifying Versus Emerging Themes Overarching Themes Topical Themes Interpretation Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingChapter 14. Research Stories and Critical Events and Cases Objectives Elements in a Research Story Critical Events and Cases Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommend ReadingChapter 15. Writing and the Final Paper Objectives Writing Process Writing Styles Used in Final Papers Format of a Final Paper Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended ReadingReferencesGlossaryIndex