Doing Qualitative Research

Written in a lively, accessible style, Doing Qualitative Research provides a step-by-step guide to all the questions students ask when beginning their first research project. Silverman demonstrates how to learn the craft of qualitative research by applying knowledge about different methods to actual data. He provides practical advice on key issues such as defining ‘originality’ and narrowing down a topic, keeping a research diary and writing a research report, and presenting research to different audiences.

Silverman (sociology, Goldsmiths College; management, Kings College, U. of London) has 20-plus years of experience teaching introductory workshops and courses to Ph.D., masters and undergraduate students. While suitable as a reference for graduate and undergraduate students, Silverman's text is designed primarily as a primer for Ph.D. students, and combines guidance on completing a sound qualitative research project with practical advice on the criteria used in oral examinations and in publication. Revised and updated throughout, the second edition includes six new chapters on how to use the book, what can and cannot be done with qualitative research, the research experience, the evaluation of qualitative research, making good use of one's supervisor, and effective qualitative research. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

David Silverman is Professor Emeritus, Sociology Department, Goldsmiths College and Visiting Professor, Management Department, King's College, University of London. He is author/editor of many top-selling qualitative books for Sage London: Interpreting Qualitative Data, 2/e (2001), Qualitative Research Practice (2004), Qualitative Research, 2/e (2004), and Doing Qualitative Research, 2/e (2004). He is also series editor of Introducing Qualitative Methods.