Writing and Representing Qualitative Research

About the Book

This book addresses foundational areas of qualitative writing (such as journal articles and dissertations), aesthetic representations (including poetry and autoethnography), publishing, and reflexivity in representation in one practical and engaging text based on real experiences. Author Maria K.E. Lahman draws on her experiences as a qualitative research professor and writing instructor, and as someone who has published widely in scholarly journals, employing both traditional and more innovative forms of writing. The first part of the book covers writing tips; how to represent data; how to write a qualitative thematic journal article; how to write a qualitative dissertation; and provides guidance on the publication process. The second part encourages the qualitative researcher to move beyond traditional forms of writing and consider how qualitative research can be represented more aesthetically: as poems, autoethnographies, and visually. The book concludes with a chapter on reflexivity in research representations. Throughout, the author provides vivid examples from her own work, and that of graduate students and colleagues.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author PART I. WRITING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ESSENTIALS Chapter 1. Introduction Literary Framing Path of the Book Features of the Book The Gist Reflexive Questions Chapter 2. Why, What, and How We Write Why Do We Write? What Do We Write? How Do We Write? The Gist: Get on With It Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Chapter 3. Start Writing! Data Represented in Three Ways: An Exemplar Honing the Craft of Writing The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Chapter 4. Qualitative Dissertations: The Three Rules The Dissertation Proposal (or Chapters 1–3) The Dissertation (or Chapters 4 and 5) Politics and Process of the Dissertation Change Is in the Wind The Gist Reflexive Questions Resources Chapter 5. Writing the Qualitative Journal Article: Of Rice Cakes, Tortillas, Bread, and Butter Before the Formal Writing The Qualitative Thematic Article: Bread and Butter of Qualitative Research The Methodological Article The Gist Reflexive Questions Resources Reflexive Activities Chapter 6. Publish and Persevere: The Publication Process Getting Organized Preparing the Manuscript for Publication Submission Anticipating the Reviews The Review Revise and Resubmit Reject Accept, and Accept With Revisions Production Done, Done, Done! (Not Really): Promoting Publication Get Started Promoting Your Publication The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources PART II. AESTHETIC REPRESENTATIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Chapter 7. Autoethnography: A Kaleidoscope of Knowing Background of Autoethnography Major Genres of Autoethnography One Way to Create Autoethnography Tensions in Autoethnography The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Chapter 8. Poemish Research Representations Why Poetry? Forms of Research Poetry Ideas for Forging Research Poetry Poetic Tensions The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Chapter 9. Visuals in Qualitative Research Representation: In the Blink of an Eye Visual Inquiry Background Exemplars of Visual Research Representations Representing Visuals Considerations for Visual Representations The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Chapter 10. Reflecting Reflexivity in Research Representations What Is Reflexivity? Traditional Reflexivity Representations Contemporary Reflexivity: Undergirding Representations The Gist Reflexive Questions Reflexive Activities Resources Epilogue Appendices Appendix A. A Sample Syllabus From a Graduate-Level Qualitative Research Writing Course Appendix B. An Example of a Doctoral Student Representing the Same Data Set in Three Different Ways Appendix C. Reflexive Activities for Novice and Sage Writers Appendix D. Tips for Writing and Presenting a Research Poster Appendix E. Writing Prompts References Index

About the Author :
Maria K. E. Lahman is a professor of qualitative methodology at the University of Northern Colorado, in Colorado, USA. She is the author of the Sage textbooks Ethics in Social Science Research: Becoming Culturally Responsive and Writing and Representing Qualitative Research. A Mennonite, Maria challenges herself to weave aspects of social justice and peacebuilding into her pedagogy and scholarship. Maria′s scholarship is focused on creating ethical solutions for culturally complex methodological situations, diversity, young children, mothering, and qualitative writing representation.

Review :
One of the best books I have read in qualitative research. I wish I had this book when I was a doctoral student, or in the early stages of my academic career. Not only is it good for those in doctoral programs, it is appropriate for mentoring those in the early stages of the journey to tenure. Lahman′s text is both a sound guide to the practical elements of qualitative inquiry, as well as a compelling overview of the eclectic, ethical, and engaged landscape of the contemporary field. This book is a true invitation to emerging researchers, calling for them to both create strong work and to dream new practices into being.