The first time I thought about writing this book was during my doctoral studies. As I sat in my introductory qualitative research class, I found myself deeply engaged with the theoretical and conceptual aspects of qualitative inquiry. The textbooks we used provided excellent explanations of philosophical traditions, research designs, and methodological frameworks. Yet, I felt something was missing—opportunities to practice. I longed for exercises where I could apply what I was learning, much like the structured problem-solving activities I had encountered in my prior training in quantitative research.
A few years earlier, during my quantitative research courses, my instructor had provided us with a workbook. It was filled with exercises designed to reinforce key statistical concepts. Just like when I was a child learning basic arithmetic—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—my understanding deepened through practice. The more I worked through problems, the better I became. But in my qualitative research class, such structured exercises were absent. I wished for a workbook that would allow me to practice essential qualitative skills: writing research questions, crafting purpose statements, and engaging in data analysis.
That was the first time I considered writing a book—a resource that could bridge the gap between theory and practice in qualitative research. Fast forward a few years, I became a faculty member and began teaching qualitative research in a doctoral program at the University of North Florida. Once again, I encountered the same limitations in the textbooks I was using. My students grasped the concepts, but when it came to applying them—designing qualitative studies, formulating open-ended research questions, and conducting thematic analysis—they often struggled.
As an instructor, I adapted. I started developing practice exercises and embedding them into my courses. We worked through these exercises together, and I saw a remarkable difference in my students’ confidence and abilities. I also noticed, through my role on doctoral dissertation committees, that many students struggled with translating theoretical knowledge into research practice. They understood that qualitative research questions should be open-ended, exploratory, and flexible—yet, crafting them in real-world studies was a challenge.
This book was born out of these experiences. It is designed to provide not only a conceptual and theoretical foundation for qualitative research but also structured opportunities for practice. The title, Qualitative Research in Action: Theory and Practice Combined, reflects this dual focus. My goal is to guide readers through qualitative inquiry in a way that not only deepens their understanding but also equips them with the practical skills needed to conduct rigorous research.
This book is for doctoral students, novice researchers, and instructors who seek a resource that integrates explanation with hands-on learning. Whether you are just beginning your journey into qualitative research or refining your skills, I hope this book will serve as both a guide and a companion, making qualitative research not just an academic pursuit but a lived, practiced, and deeply engaging process.
Overview of the Book
This book provides a comprehensive guide to conducting qualitative research, from its philosophical foundations to the final steps of publishing research findings. It is designed to assist both novice and experienced researchers in navigating the complex landscape of qualitative inquiry. The book covers fundamental research paradigms, methodological considerations, data collection and analysis techniques, and the importance of rigor and trustworthiness in qualitative research. Additionally, it offers practical guidance on writing qualitative research reports and preparing manuscripts for publication.
Overview
Chapter 1: Research Paradigms in Qualitative Inquiry
This chapter lays the foundation for understanding qualitative research by exploring various research paradigms, including positivism, post-positivism, social constructivism, pragmatism, and critical theory. It highlights how paradigms shape researchers’ ontological and epistemological assumptions and influence methodological choices. The chapter also includes reflections on how researchers can align their research paradigms with their study objectives.
Chapter 2: Navigating Interpretive, Theoretical, and Conceptual Frameworks
This chapter distinguishes between interpretive frameworks, theoretical frameworks, and conceptual frameworks, which are often misunderstood or used interchangeably in qualitative research. It explains their roles in guiding research design, data collection, and analysis. Through examples, it demonstrates how researchers can integrate these frameworks effectively to strengthen their qualitative studies.
Chapter 3: Purpose Statement and Research Questions in Qualitative Research
This chapter focuses on the development of purpose statements and research questions, which serve as the guiding elements of any qualitative study. It discusses the characteristics of well-crafted qualitative research questions and emphasizes how they differ from quantitative research inquiries. The chapter also includes practical exercises for refining research questions.
Chapter 4: Conducting a Literature Review in Qualitative Research
This chapter explores the significance of the literature review in qualitative research. It provides a structured approach to identifying, synthesizing, and organizing existing knowledge. The chapter also differentiates between literature review processes in qualitative and quantitative research, emphasizing how qualitative researchers should avoid preconceived notions while maintaining a critical awareness of prior studies.
Chapter 5: Choosing an Appropriate Research Design
This chapter provides an in-depth discussion of the five primary qualitative research designs—ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, narrative inquiry, and case study. It details the philosophical underpinnings, key features, and appropriate applications of each research design, guiding researchers in selecting the most suitable approach for their studies.
Chapter 6: Data Collection in Qualitative Research
This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of data collection methods, including interviews, observations, documents, and artifacts. It provides detailed guidance on selecting appropriate data sources, defining inclusion criteria, and ethical considerations in data collection. The chapter also includes practical strategies for recruiting participants and ensuring the credibility of the data.
Chapter 7: Data Analysis in Qualitative Research
This chapter explains the iterative and reflexive process of qualitative data analysis. It introduces various coding strategies, including descriptive coding, in-vivo coding, process coding, emotion coding, and theoretical coding. The chapter highlights the importance of memo writing, thematic analysis, and theoretical integration in producing meaningful interpretations of data.
Chapter 8: Writing a Research Report in Qualitative Research
This chapter emphasizes the critical role of writing in qualitative research. It explains how qualitative researchers should document their findings through rich descriptions, narratives, and theoretical interpretations. The chapter outlines the structure of qualitative research reports and provides strategies for presenting findings in a compelling and coherent manner.
Chapter 9: Trustworthiness and Rigor in Qualitative Research
This chapter explores various strategies to enhance the trustworthiness and rigor of qualitative research, such as member checking, triangulation, audit trails, peer debriefing, and reflexivity. It explains how qualitative researchers can establish credibility, dependability, confirmability, and transferability in their studies.
Chapter 10: Publishing Your Qualitative Research in Scientific Journals
The final chapter guides researchers through the process of preparing and submitting qualitative research manuscripts for publication. It covers strategies for selecting appropriate journals, structuring a qualitative research manuscript, responding to reviewer feedback, and enhancing the chances of acceptance. The chapter also discusses how researchers can present their findings effectively at academic conferences.
This book serves as a comprehensive guide for qualitative researchers, providing both theoretical insights and practical tools to navigate the research process from start to finish. It is particularly valuable for doctoral students, early-career researchers, and scholars seeking to deepen their understanding of qualitative methodologies.
