Qualitative Research through Case Studies

Although most undergraduates are able to collect qualitative data without too much difficulty, they are often less successful in turning this into an interesting, theoretically-informed analysis.

Qualitative Research Through Case Studies will help students improve the quality of their work through introducing a wide range of traditions, including interpretive approaches such as grounded theory, dramaturgical analysis, ethnomethodology and conversation analysis and political approaches such as critical discourse analysis, feminism and postmodern ethnography.

Each chapter introduces the theoretical assumptions of the tradition through discussing a number of case-studies: classic or exemplary studies which illustrate how different researchers have used qualitative methods in researching a variety of topics. There are also practical hints on designing undergraduate projects, exercises and a guide to further reading.

The book is intended for students in a wide range of disciplines and should be particularly useful for complete beginners who are interested in conducting qualitative research as part of their degrees.

 

Max Travers is a reader in Sociology at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, where he has been since 1992. Before that he lectured at Plymouth University. He has an MA in History, an MA in Economics and a PhD in Sociology. He is also a Solicitor of the Supreme Court.