README FIRST for a User’s Guide to Qualitative Methods

Preface Why Readme First? Goals Methods and Their Integrity Methodological Diversity and Informed Choice No Mysteries! Learning by Doing It: Qualitative Research as a Craft Qualitative Research as a Challenge Using Readme The Shape of the Book What to Expect Doing Qualitative Research Resources Thinking Research The Integrity of Qualitative Research Methodological Purposiveness Methodological Congruence The Armchair Walkthrough And Now-Your Topic? What can you aim for? Summary Resources Selecting a Method Commonalities and Differences Phenomenology Ethnography Grounded Theory Additional Qualitative Methods Summary Resources Qualitative Research Design The Levels of Design Planning Design Doing Design Designing for Validity Project Pacing Choosing Your Software Overall Project Design Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Projects Using Your Software for Research Design Summary Resources Inside Analysis Making Data What Are Data (and What Are Not) Ways of Making Data Who Makes Data? Transforming Data Managing Data The Role of Data Yourself as Data Using Your Software for Managing Data Summary Resources Coding Getting Inside the Data Storing Ideas Doing Coding Theme-ing Purposiveness of Coding Tips and Traps: Handling Codes and Coding Using Your Software for Coding Summary Resources Abstracting The First Step: Categorizing The Next Step: Conceptualizing Doing Abstraction Managing Abstraction Using Your Software for Managing Ideas Summary Resources Revisiting Methodological Congruence Phenomenology Ethnography Grounded Theory Summary Resources Getting It Right On Getting It Right and Knowing If It’s Wrong Ensuring Rigor in the Design Phase Ensuring Rigor While Conducting a Project When Is It Done? Demonstrating Rigor on Completion of the Project Summary Resources Writing It Up Ready to Write? Re-revisiting Methodological Congruence Protecting Participants Evaluate Your Writing Polishing Using your Software for Writing Writing your Thesis or Dissertation Writing an Article for Publication After Publication, Then What? Summary Resources Beginning Your Project Groundwork for Beginning Your Project Writing Your Proposal Ensuring Ethical Research Summary Resources Getting Started Why Is It So Hard to Start? How to Start? Congratulations, You’ve Started! Resources Appendix 1: Using the Software Tutorials Appendix 2: Applying for funding