Qualitative Research In Education

Helping education students become savvy qualitative researchers Qualitative Research in Education: A User's Guide, Third Edition continues to bring together the essential elements of qualitative research, including traditions and influences in the field and practical, step-by-step coverage of each stage of the research process. Synthesizing the best thinking on conducting qualitative research in education, author Marilyn Lichtman uses a conversational writing style that draws readers into the excitement of the research process. Real-world examples provide both practical and theoretical information, helping readers understand abstract ideas and apply them to their own research.

This updated second edition unpacks the discussions surrounding the finest qualitative methods used in contemporary educational research. Bringing together scholars from around the world, this Handbook offers sophisticated insights into the theories and disciplinary approaches to qualitative study and the processes of data collection, analysis and representation, offering fresh ideas to inspire and re-invigorate researchers in educational research.

This outstanding new textbook provides a comprehensive overview of qualitative approaches to educational research. The text draws upon a broad range of real-life examples to describe and illustrate the methods through which educational data may be analyzed. Through a detailed yet concise explanation, the reader is then shown how these methods work and how their outcomes may be interpreted. Key features of this title include: - Links theory and practice by locating forms of analysis within a clear theoretical perspective. - Locates qualitative research in the social and cultural context in which it originates. - Contains a variety of `real-life' examples and case studies. - Each chapter concludes with a set of exercises and questions for further discussion. Qualitative Research in Education presents a thorough explanation of the complexities of educational research and demonstrates the importance of placing this knowledge within cultural, linguistic and sociological contexts. It is an extremely informative text, which constitutes essential reading for those, engaged in the research and analysis of educational data.

This timely resource provides a framework for teaching students how to think qualitatively and become more critical and reflexive researchers. Presented are a wealth of pedagogical tools that instructors across the disciplines can tailor to their own needs, including thought-provoking discussion questions, group work exercises, and field activities. The authors discuss issues and choices in course design, including approaches to assessment and grading, and share sample syllabi for both online and face-to-face course formats. Exploring the complexities and debates that surround teaching qualitative research, the book argues for a holistic model of preparing novice researchers. It demonstrates effective ways to engage students in the qualitative inquiry process from start to finish--from understanding positionality and crafting a research problem to writing up findings for different audiences.

This concise, applied, and very clearly written introduction to qualitative research methods can be used effectively in a semester, or year-long course. This introductory-level text provides the reader with a background for understanding the uses of qualitative research in education (and other professions) examining its theoretical and historical underpinnings, and providing the "how-to's" of doing qualitative research. This new edition places qualitative research within current debates about research methods and alternative ways of knowing. While the authors approach the subject from a sociological perspective, they also take care to reflect the many changes in conceptualization of qualitative research brought by post-structural and feminist thought. New to This Edition: - Rewritten Chapter 5, "Data Analysis, " places more emphasis on the interpretive aspect of research and research writing. - Expanded coverage of action or practitioner research (Chapter 7) highlights a topic that is of immediate use. - Added emphasis on technology and qualitative analysis software in qualitative research helps students to use and incorporate technology efficiently. Links to useful research websites have also been integrated throughout. - Expanded coverage of such topics as formal research designs, work with different cultures, critical race theory, and the debate over quantitative vs. qualitative research. - New end-of-chapter summaries, questions, and field assignments have been added to make this text easy to use with students. - A new Instructor's Manual/Test Bank is available online to adopters by contacting your local representative.

Critical qualitative research informs social education through a lens that ensures the investigation of issues in education tied to power and privilege, ultimately leading to advocacy and activism. The concept of critical is increasingly challenged in this age of neoliberal reform; nevertheless, critical implies questioning, investigating and challenging in terms of equity and social justice, leading to critical consciousness (Freire, 1970). While we resist defining social education, as hopefully these ideas / concepts are fluid, the idea stems from a continual analysis and synthesis of critical theory/ critical pedagogy, media and cultural studies, social reconstruction / social justice, and social studies education framed by culturally responsive pedagogy. A social education take on critical qualitative research thus suggests multiple truths and perspectives and focuses on questions rather than answers. While many have written on qualitative educational research and some have attempted to integrate critical pedagogy and qualitative research, few have explored the specific idea of social education and critical qualitative research. A major issue is that social education claims that there are no set procedures, scripted approaches, or narrow definitions as to the possibilities of research endeavors. Social education researchers make the process and investigation their own and adapt questions, procedures, methods, and strategies throughout the experience. This reflects an ever changing criticality in the bricolage of the research (Steinberg, 2011). Critical qualitative research and social education are vital for the world of the 21st century. The onslaught of neoliberalism, corporatization, standardization, testing, and the continuing attack on public schools and educators necessitate critical approaches to teaching and learning along with critical qualitative research in social education. Ongoing issues with equity and social justice tied to race, ethnicity, class, orientation, age, and ability linking to schooling, education, teaching and learning must be addressed. The struggle between unbridled capitalism and democracy warrant these investigations in the 21st century, hopefully leading to advocacy and activism.

How do education researchers navigate the qualitative research process? How do they manage and negotiate myriad decision points at which things can take an unexpected – and sometimes problematic – turn? Whilst these questions are relevant for any research process, the specific issues qualitative researchers face can have impactful repercussions, that if managed adeptly, can lead to successful and even new research opportunities. Navigating Challenges in Qualitative Educational Research includes narratives that provide real world experiences and accounts of how researchers navigated problematic situations, as well as their considerations in doing so. These contributions give students and researchers a chance to understand the possibilities of research challenges and better prepare for these eventualities and how to deal with them. Providing educative windows into the challenges and missteps even seasoned researchers face along the way, this book is an invaluable resource for graduate students and early career qualitative researchers, particularly those who are interested in education.

Anyone conducting qualitative research in education will be heartened and inspired by this collection, and will also find in it invaluable guidance.