Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice

Edited by David Silverman, the book brings together a team of internationally-renowned researchers to discuss the theory and practice of qualitative research. In each chapter, the contributors broaden our conception of qualitative research by drawing upon particular examples of data-analysis to advance their analytical arguments.

The contributors successfully combine a discussion of more traditional methods, with more recent developments in the field; including the use of internet data and researching visual culture.

Illustrated by case studies and practical examples, this student-friendly and engaging text will be an invaluable resource for all students involved in qualitative research across the social sciences.

David Silverman trained as a sociologist at the London School of Economics and the University of California, Los Angeles. He taught for 32 years at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is interested in conversation and discourse analysis and he has researched medical consultations and HIV-test counselling.

He is the author of Interpreting Qualitative Data (Seventh Edition, 2024) and A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Qualitative Research (Second Edition, 2013). He is also the editor of Qualitative Research (Sixth Edition, 2026) and the Sage series, Introducing Qualitative Methods. In recent years, he has offered short, hands-on workshops in qualitative research for research students and faculty at universities in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Now retired from full-time work, David aims to watch one hundred days of cricket a year. He also enjoys voluntary work in an old people’s home where he sings with residents with dementia and strokes.