Doing Naturalistic Inquiry: A Guide to Methods

While much has been written on alternative paradigm research, there is little concrete advice on how to effectively use the theoretical notions of naturalistic inquiry in practice. Doing Naturalistic Inquiry is the practical guide designed to help beginning researchers apply the constructivist paradigm. Based upon the theoretical work of Lincoln and Guba in developing the naturalistic―or constructivist--paradigm, Erlandson and his colleagues show readers how these ideas shape the practice of conducting alternative paradigm research. The book covers the research process from design through data collection analysis and presentation and examines important issues generally minimized in positivist research texts ethics, trustworthiness, and authenticity. Cases from a wide variety of disciplines demonstrate the efficacy of the methods described.

Doing Naturalistic Inquiry is a highly useful teaching tool for anyone using a constructivist lens on research.

"This book is as good a practical guide to naturalistic inquiry as one could hope for at this time. It is clear, it is practical, it is stimulating, it leads, it guides, it inspires. The authors provide action-based legitimation for naturalistic inquiry. If the question, ′It all sounds good, but does it work?′ is a reasonable one to pose, this book demonstrates that naturalistic inquiry works. The authors are to be congratulated for a splendid contribution." Author: from the Foreword by Egon G. Guba