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S a r a h J . T r a c y Q “Sarah Tracy has crafted an arresting and energetic field guide for those undertaking u qualitative work in a wide variety of research areas. Comprehensive and eclectic, yet full of solid tips and engaging examples, this is a fine read for the experienced a qualitative researcher and a most practical and thoughtful one for the uninitiated.” l John Van Maanen, MIT i t a “I can’t wait to teach qualitative methods again, just so I can use Sarah Tracy’s well- researched, readable, and comprehensive book. Rarely has a text so successfully t connected personal experience with engaging and storied plotlines, practical advice, i and conceptual and analytic development. Perfect for demonstrating the value of all v approaches, it’s a winner in every way. Those in communication – all fields really – are e in for a real treat.” Carolyn Ellis, University of South Florida r e s Qualitative Research Methods is a comprehensive resource for the theoretical underpinnings and e practical conduct of qualitative methodology. Along with clear and concise guidance on how to design a and theoretically ground research studies, write up proposals, and navigate institutional review boards, qualitative methodology expert Sarah J. Tracy also offers invaluable tips for recruiting participants, r practicing fieldwork, and conducting interviews and focus groups. c Easy-to-follow steps are provided for iterative data analysis, describing in detail how to move between h theory and data in primary, secondary, and advanced coding cycles, and in doing so make meaning from mounds of data. The book provides insights on multiple ways to write and represent qualitative research for the greatest scholarly and social impact. Featuring an engaging writing style, in-depth examples from m the author’s own practice, a variety of topic areas, and a wealth of supplemental materials, Qualitative Research Methods is an essential resource for novice and experienced researchers alike. e Q u a l i tat i v E A comprehensive companion website with sample syllabi, lesson plans, a list of helpful website links, test t bank and exam review materials, and exercises and worksheets is available at www.wiley.com/go/tracy. h o rEsEa r c h d s Sarah J. Tracy is Associate Professor of Human Communication at Arizona State University-Tempe. She has contributed more than fifty essays to such publications as Qualitative Inquiry, Communication M Et hO Ds Monographs, and Management Communication Quarterly. Dr. Tracy’s research has garnered international t acclaim and she regularly serves as a qualitative methodology expert for granted research. r a C y ColleCting evidenCe, Crafting analysis, CommuniCating impaCt C=51 M=45 Y=42 K=7 C=3 M=51 Y=95 K=0 Qua l i tat i v e Re se a Rc h Me t hod s About the website This text has a comprehensive companion website which features resources for instructors and students alike. Instructors ●● Powerpoint slides to accompany each chapter ●● Sample syllabi for both undergraduate and graduate courses ●● A testbank, containing problems for each chapter, including answers ●● Lesson plan outlines for each chapter ●● 23 additional activities created by guest contributors Students ●● Master list of key terms and definitions ●● Worksheets for each chapter ●● Exam guides, containing key terms and concepts for each chapter ●● List of helpful websites, videos, movies, and blogs Please visit www.wiley.com/go/tracy to access these materials. Sarah J. Tracy Qua l i tat i v e Re se a Rch Me t hod s collecting evidence, cRafting analysis, coMMunicating iMpact A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first published 2013 © 2013 Sarah J. Tracy Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Sarah J. Tracy to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is available for this book. 978-1-4051-9203-3 (hardback) 978-1-4051-9202-6 (paperback) A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Cover image © Stockbyte / Getty Images Cover design by Simon Levy Set in 10/12pt Minion by SPi Publisher Services, Pondicherry, India 1 2013 I dedicate this book to all my past students, research participants, mentors, and colleagues who have taught me that anything worth doing well is worth doing badly in the beginning. Contents Detailed contents viii Preface: is this book for me? xiv 1 Developing contextual research that matters 1 2 Entering the conversation of qualitative research 20 3 Paradigmatic reflections and theoretical foundations 37 4 Fieldwork and fieldplay: Negotiating access and exploring the scene 64 5 P roposal writing: Explaining your research to institutional review boards, instructors, supervisory committees, and funding agencies 87 6 Field roles, fieldnotes, and field focus 105 7 Interview planning and design: Sampling, recruiting, and questioning 130 8 Interview practice: Embodied, mediated, and focus-group approaches 157 9 Data analysis basics: A pragmatic iterative approach 183 10 Advanced data analysis: The art and magic of interpretation 203 11 Qualitative quality: Creating a credible, ethical, significant study 227 12 Writing Part 1: The nuts and bolts of qualitative tales 251 13 Writing Part 2: Drafting, polishing, and publishing 273 14 Qualitative methodology matters: Exiting and communicating impact 296 Appendix A Fieldnote 315 Appendix B Focus group guide 317 Appendix C Interview transcription excerpts 321 References 325 Index 341 Detailed Contents Preface: is this book for me? xiv 2 Entering the conversation of qualitative research 20 1 Developing contextual research The nature of qualitative research 21 that matters 1 Inductive/emic vs. deductive/etic approaches 21 Overview and introduction 2 Action and structure 22 Three core qualitative concepts: self-reflexivity, CONSIDER THIS 2.1 Why am I standing context, and thick description 2 in line? 23 Self-reflexivity 2 EXERCISE 2.1 Action vs. structure 24 Context 3 Comparing qualitative and quantitative Thick description 3 methods 24 A phronetic approach: doing qualitative research Key characteristics of the qualitative research that matters 4 process 25 Strengths of qualitative research 4 Gestalt 25 Foci of qualitative research 5 Bricolage 26 Understanding the self 6 The funnel metaphor 27 Understanding relationships 6 Sensitizing concepts 28 Understanding groups and Key definitions and territories of qualitative organizations 6 research 28 Understanding cultures 7 Historical matters 31 Understanding mediated and virtual The early days 31 contexts 7 Ethically problematic research and the Moving from ideas to sites, settings, creation of the IRB 31 and participants 8 Recent history 33 EXERCISE 1.1 Field/site brainstorm 9 Current controversies 33 Sources of research ideas 10 In summary 34 CONSIDER THIS 1.1 Sources of research EXERCISE 2.2 Research problems ideas 11 and questions 35 Compatibility, suitability, yield, and feasibility 11 3 Paradigmatic reflections and theoretical RESEARCHER’S NOTEPAD 1.1 Feasibility challenges foundations 37 with hidden populations 14 TIPS AND TOOLS 1.1 Factoring the ease CONSIDER THIS 3.1 A paradigm parable 38 of fieldwork 15 Paradigms 39 Moving toward a research question 15 Positivist and post-positivist paradigm 39 RESEARCHER’S NOTEPAD 1.2 Published Interpretive paradigm 40 examples of research questions 16 EXERCISE 3.1 Verstehen/understanding 41 FOLLOWING, FORGETTING, AND IMPROVISING 17 Critical paradigm 42 In summary 18 Postmodern/poststructuralist EXERCISE 1.2 Three potential field sites 18 paradigm 44