Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook

In the fourth edition of his best-selling textbook, David Silverman provides a step-by-step guide to planning and conducting qualitative research. Using real examples from real postgraduate students, the book makes it easy to link theory to methods and shows how to move from understanding the principles of qualitative research to doing it yourself. The new edition has been fully updated and now includes: - a brand new chapter on formulating a research question appropriate for qualitative research - an expanded discussion of the role of theory in research - extended discussion of case study research and the number of cases needed for effective qualitative research - further coverage of focus groups and analysing internet data - new student examples from around the world - a new section on the common pitfalls encountered in qualitative research - an expanded companion website with more student examples and videos. Filled with exercises to test your understanding and develop your skills, as well as David′s own tips for research success based on years of experience, this book is essential reading for anyone doing qualitative research. Available with Perusall—an eBook that makes it easier to prepare for class Perusall is an award-winning eBook platform featuring social annotation tools that allow students and instructors to collaboratively mark up and discuss their SAGE textbook. Backed by research and supported by technological innovations developed at Harvard University, this process of learning through collaborative annotation keeps your students engaged and makes teaching easier and more effective. Learn more.

Table of Contents:
Preface to the Fourth Edition Companion Website PART ONE: INTRODUCTION How to Use This Book What You Can (and Can′t) Do with Qualitative Research Focusing Research Project Issues in Research Design What Counts as ′Originality′? PART TWO: STARTING OUT Formulating a Research Question Using Theories Choosing a Methodology How Many Cases Do You Need? Ethical Research Writing a Research Proposal PART THREE: COLLECTING AND ANALYSING YOUR DATA Collecting Your Data Developing Data Analysis Using Computers to Analyse Qualitative Data - Clive Seale Quality in Qualitative Research Evaluating Qualitative Research Effective Qualitative Research PART FOUR: WRITING UP The First Few Pages The Literature Review Chapter The Methodology Chapter Writing Your Data Chapters Your Concluding Chapter PART FIVE: GETTING SUPPORT Making Good Use of Your Supervisor Getting Feedback Surviving an Oral Examination Getting Published Audiences Appendix: Transcription Symbols Glossary References Author Index Subject Index

About the Author :
David Silverman is Visiting Professor in the Business School, University of Technology, Sydney, Emeritus Professor in the Sociology Department, Goldsmiths’ College and Adjunct Professor in the School of Education, Queensland University of Technology. He has lived in London for most of his life, where he attended Christ′s College Finchley and did a BSc (Economics) at the London School of Economics in the 1960s. Afterwards, he went to the USA for graduate work, obtaining an MA in the Sociology Department, University of California, Los Angeles. He returned to LSE to write a PhD on organization theory. This was published as The Theory of Organizations in 1970. Apart from brief spells teaching at UCLA, his main teaching career was at Goldsmiths College. His three major research projects were on decision making in the Personnel Department of the Greater London Council (Organizational Work, written with Jill Jones, 1975), paediatric outpatient clinics (Communication and Medical Practice, 1987) and HIV-test counselling (Discourses of Counselling, 1997). He pioneered a taught MA in Qualitative Research at Goldsmiths in 1985 and supervised around 30 successful PhD students. Since becoming Emeritus Professor in 1999, he has continued publishing methodology books. David regularly runs qualitative research workshops for five universities in Sydney and Brisbane. He has also run workshops for research students in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Since 2000, he has done voluntary work with people with dementia. resident in an old people’s home Besides all this, David′s other interests include classical music, literary fiction, bridge, county cricket and spending time with his grandchildren.

Review :
David Silverman expands and revises his seminal text to include a new chapter on Effective Qualitative Research where he provides five rules to guide the research process. With this book students and novice researchers alike have the resources and necessary tools to produce an effective research study, thesis, or dissertation. Dale Crowe Faculty, School of Advanced Studies , University of Phoenix Overall, this new edition is a comprehensive and welcome updating of what was already an essential text. Silverman takes his readers through a substantial and comprehensive introduction to qualitative research and gives them pointers for where to go next. This book will be of great use to students studying research methods, and will give them a thorough and readable introduction to what can sometimes feel like a rather overwhelming subject. As such it deserves its place on reading lists. ′any practitioner who has been away from the classroom and textbooks for some time will find this resource refreshing, engaging and help re-light their passion for qualitative research. Silverman pulls no punches in challenging the reader to be brave, bold, and open in their approach and application.′