Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction

Description: 2025 SPE Outstanding Book Award Winner
2024 AESA Critics' Choice Award Winner

Written by scholars from three generations of qualitative methodologists, Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction situates qualitative research within the history of the field and integrates this history within discussions of specific research designs. This novel approach allows readers to come to know the genealogy of the field and how previous generations of scholars have informed what we know today as qualitative research. The text reflects these more traditional as well as emerging qualitative research approaches, providing a theoretically grounded approach to designing and implementing qualitative research studies. While some introductory research texts focus on the specific methods of qualitative research with little attention to the role of theory, this book forefronts theory in qualitative research. The authors speak to students new to qualitative research with clear discussions of theory and theoretical concepts and how those notions must be considered throughout all aspects of research design, implementation, and representation of findings. Each chapter integrates discussion of theory. In addition, the book highlights the role of ethics in the same way with a chapter at the beginning as well as discussions of ethics threaded throughout each of the design chapters.

Qualitative Research Design and Methods is THE introductory textbook for students taking introductory masters and doctoral courses in qualitative research. Instructors in those classes will appreciate the straightforward language and concepts provided by the authors.

Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Qualitative Research and Qualitative Research Design

Brief description: Kathleen deMarrais is Professor, Emerita, Qualitative Research in the Mary Frances Early College of Education at the University of Georgia. Her research interests include qualitative research methods, critical qualitative research, and archival methods. In addition to numerous articles and book chapters, her recent books include Exploring the Archives: A Beginner's Guide for Qualitative Researchers (with K. Roulston, 2021), Conservative Philanthropies and Organizations Shaping U.S. Educational Policy and Practice (with B. Herron & J. Copple, 2020), and Philanthropy, Hidden Strategy, and Collective Resistance: A Primer for Concerned Educators (with T. J. Brewer, J. C. Atkinson, B. Herron, and J. Lewis, 2019). In her spare time she enjoys gardening, raising chickens, baking pies, and exploring local community history.

Review Quotes: "In this exceptional text, deMarrais, Roulston, and Copple masterfully weave their combined decades of expertise into a solid foundation of qualitative research. Graduate students and other newcomers to qualitative inquiry will appreciate the authors' inviting, clear, and accessible writing. Readers will learn about various ways of qualitative thinking, ethical reasoning, engaging theoretical frameworks and perspectives, and collecting and analyzing data: each of the necessary skills to embark on their own scholarship. Additionally, readers will find an abundance of activities, resources for further reading, and real-world examples from dissertations and extant literature. It is clear that the authors--who are superstars in the field--have perfected their approach to introducing readers to qualitative inquiry. I highly recommend Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction for anyone who is hoping to learn more about qualitative research!"--Leia K. Cain, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Evaluation, Statistics, and Methodology, Coordinator, Qualitative Research Methods in Education Graduate Certificate, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Tennessee