Wordcraft: Applied Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA): Tools for Public and Voluntary Social Services

A pragmatic guide to performing meaningful qualitative data analysis

This text helps students and social service personnel better evaluate agency programs using the various qualitative documents (such as case intake forms and case progress notes) already at their disposal. Author Vincent E. Faherty shows readers not just what to do with qualitative data, but also how they should interpret the meanings. Wordcraft: Applied Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) begins by examining the requisite knowledge and skills needed to design and execute a comprehensive research or evaluation report using qualitative data. It then offers guidance on writing the final report and disseminating the results to a wider community.

Key Features

The Qualitative Data Analysis Model (QDA), a non-computer-based method of data analysis, takes readers through the research process in order to gain a complete picture of an agency's performance

Case examples from SAGE journals articles contain margin notes and introductory and conclusive remarks

The author applies conceptual ideas to pragmatic, agency-based situations that are relevant to a broad range of human service professional disciplines

Anyone in a mangerial role with a community-based social agency as well as social work undergraduate and graduate students will benefit from this straightforward guide.

Vincent Faherty earned his doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from the University of Utah in 1976. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the International Management Institute of the University of Geneva (1985), a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University (1970), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cathedral College & Seminary (1958). He has taught statistics and social work research methods for the past 18 years at the University of Southern Maine. Prior to that, he taught at the University of Northern Iowa and at the University of Columbia-Missouri.