Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice

1671 Pages·2014·29.85 MB·English

by  Patton Michael Quinn

To
Calla Quinn,
my first grandchild,
born during the gestation of this book,
the fifth generation in our family line to carry
the middle name Quinn,
two before me, two after me,
and the first female to do so.
Whatever the future holds, uncertain as it inherently is,
new opportunities worthy of, and in need of,
indepth qualitative inquiry and illumination
are sure to emerge.

Copyright © 2015 by SAGE Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Patton, Michael Quinn.
[Qualitative evaluation methods]
Qualitative research & evaluation methods : integrating theory and practice / Michael Quinn Patton.—
Fourth edition.
pages cm
Revised edition of the author’s Qualitative evaluation methods.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4129-7212-3 (alk. paper)
1. Social sciences—Methodology. 2. Evaluation research (Social action programs) I. Title. II. Title:
Qualitative research and evaluation methods.
H62.P3218 2014
001.4’2—dc23 2014029195
This book is printed on acid-free paper.

14 15 16 17 18 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
FOR INFORMATION:
SAGE Publications, Inc.
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, California 91320
E-mail: [e-mail]
SAGE Publications Ltd.
1 Oliver’s Yard
55 City Road
London EC1Y 1SP
United Kingdom
SAGE Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
B 1/I 1 Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area
Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044
India
SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.
3 Church Street
#10-04 Samsung Hub
Singapore 049483

Acquisitions Editor: Vicki Knight
Assistant Editor: Katie Bierach
Editorial Assistant: Yvonne McDuffee
Production Editor: David C. Felts
Copy Editor: QuADS Prepress (P) Ltd.
Typesetter: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd.
Proofreaders: Sally Jaskold, Scott Oney
Indexer: Molly Hall
Cover Designer: Candice Harman
Marketing Manager: Nicole Elliott
Brief Contents
Preface
About the Author
List of Exhibits
Part 1 Framing Qualitative Inquiry: Theory Informs Practice,
Practice Informs Theory
Chapter 1. The Nature, Niche, Value, and Fruit of Qualitative Inquiry
Chapter 2. Strategic Themes in Qualitative Inquiry
Chapter 3. Variety of Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks: Paradigmatic,
Philosophical, and Theoretical Orientations
Chapter 4. Practical and Actionable Qualitative Applications
Part 2 Qualitative Designs and Data Collection
Chapter 5. Designing Qualitative Studies
Chapter 6. Fieldwork Strategies and Observation Methods
Chapter 7. Qualitative Interviewing
Part 3 Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting
Chapter 8. Qualitative Analysis and Interpretation
Chapter 9. Enhancing the Quality and Credibility of Qualitative
Studies
References
Author Index
Subject Index
Contents
Preface
About the Author
List of Exhibits
Part 1 Framing Qualitative Inquiry: Theory Informs Practice,
Practice Informs Theory
Chapter 1. The Nature, Niche, Value, and Fruit of Qualitative Inquiry
Book Overview and Chapter Preview
Module 1 How Qualitative Inquiry Contributes to Our Understanding of
the World
Module 2 What Makes Qualitative Data Qualitative
Module 3 Making Methods Decisions
Module 4 The Fruit of Qualitative Methods: Chapter Summary and
Conclusion
Application Exercises
Chapter 2. Strategic Themes in Qualitative Inquiry
Chapter Preview
Module 5 Strategic Design Principles for Qualitative Inquiry
Module 6 Strategic Principles Guiding Data Collection and Fieldwork
Module 7 Strategic Principles for Qualitative Analysis and Reporting
Findings
Module 8 Integrating the 12 Strategic Qualitative Principles in Practice:
Chapter Summary and Conclusion
Application Exercises
Chapter 3. Variety of Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks: Paradigmatic,
Philosophical, and Theoretical Orientations
Chapter Preview
Module 9 Understanding the Paradigms Debate: Quants Versus Quals
Module 10 Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks
Module 11 Ethnography and Autoethnography
Module 12 Positivism, Postpositivism, Empiricism, and Foundationalist
Epistemologies
Module 13 Grounded Theory and Realism
Module 14 Phenomenology and Heuristic Inquiry
Module 15 Social Constructionism, Constructivism, Postmodernism, and
Narrative Inquiry
Module 16 Ethnomethodology, Semiotics, Symbolic Interaction, and
Hermeneutics
Module 17 Systems Theory and Complexity Theory
Module 18 Pragmatism, Generic Qualitative Inquiry, and Utilization-
Focused Evaluation
Module 19 Patterns and Themes Across Inquiry Frameworks: Chapter
Summary and Conclusions
Application Exercises
Chapter 4. Practical and Actionable Qualitative Applications
Chapter Preview
Module 20 Practical Purposes, Concrete Questions, and Actionable
Answers: Illuminating and Enhancing Quality
Module 21 Program Evaluation Applications: Focus on Outcomes
Module 22 Specialized Qualitative Evaluation Applications
Module 23 Evaluating Program Models and Theories of Change, and
Evaluation Models Especially Aligned With Qualitative Methods
Module 24 Interactive and Participatory Qualitative Applications
Module 25 Democratic Evaluation, Indigenous Research and Evaluation,
Capacity Building, and Cultural Competence
Module 26 Special Methodological Applications