This guide is for students working on dissertations that are based on qualitative research. The guide attempts to frame the dissertation process as a set of iterative cycles of deliberation which include facing the dissertation, moving into the dissertation, crafting the research proposal, proposing the study, living with the study, entering into…

"Memoing," the "theorizing write-up of ideas about codes and their relationships as they strike...the analyst's momentary ideation based on data...with conceptual elaboration" (B. Glaser, 1978), is an important analytic tool used by qualitative researchers at all stages of the research process. The art form of collage is described as a…

This study investigated the lives of six women mathematicians to describe the factors and experiences that led each woman to become successful in mathematics. Because "voice" was used as a metaphor in this study, emphasis was placed on listening to and interpreting the participants' voices. The study used narrative inquiry to investigate…

The idea that parental involvement has a positive influence on students' academic achievement is so intuitively appealing that society in general, and educators in particular, have considered parental involvement as the remedy for many problems in education. The vast proportion of the literature in this area, however, is qualitative without…

This book helps you make sense of the data your school collects, including state student achievement results as well as other qualitative and quantitative data. Easy-to-use templates, tools, and examples are available on the accompanying CD-ROM.

Discusses the components of a new methodology--consensual qualitative research (CQR)--which uses words to describe phenomena and which recognizes the importance of context. Locates CQR within the qualitative research tradition and details ways to develop a focused topic area, choose a team, attend to group dynamics, and other important issues.…

Offers methodological and epistemological suggestions regarding consensual qualitative research (CQR). Discusses the scope of CQR, the illusion of representativeness, dialogical understanding, the problem of commonality as a goal, and difficulties with the CQR consensus procedure. Epistemological concerns include the nature of truth, objective…

A review of qualitative methods used in a predominantly quantitative evaluation indicates a variety of roles for such a mixing of methods, including framing and revising research questions, assessing the validity of measures and adaptations to program implementation, and gauging the degree of uncertainty and generalizability of conclusions.…

Explains symbolic interactionism as a theory for analyzing research based on a qualitative interpretive process that can help librarians to understand the way in which the library staff and users view services, training, policy, and other issues. The theory focuses on the symbolic meaning of objects, such as books, and events as they are…

Uses existing data to investigate differences in the rate that schools improved General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) examination results from 1991-98. Finds two variables impacted examination improvement: (1) low concentration of social disadvantage relative to other local schools; and (2) starting from a low base level of GCSE…

Examines qualitative data from three case-study schools to illuminate barriers to responsiveness facing socially disadvantaged schools and impeding school improvement. Highlights cumulative impact of contextual influences, which interact with internal school factors, particularly that of local school hierarchies and processes of labelling that…

Explores the reading-related perspectives of participants in a 10th-grade global studies class. States that the study was conducted according to the qualitative research tradition associated with symbolic interactionism. Finds that opinions of success differed between student and teacher: students felt success meant a good grade, and teachers felt…

Documents the multiple goals and implications of advice among white, middle-class, college students. Identifies three dilemmas of seeking, receiving, and giving advice: (1) advice may be seen as helpful or as "butting-in"; (2) advice may be experienced as honest or supportive; and (3) seeking and taking advice may enact respect and…

The presentation of case study research in this book is based on a disciplined, qualitative inquiry into a single case, rather than quantitative methodologies or case studies for instructional purposes. Practical suggestions are given for gathering and organizing data and for data interpretation and reporting. (SLD)

Studies how technical communicators use the Internet. Finds that the Internet plays a significant role in the work practices of technical communicators--respondents find the Internet helpful for contacting customers, obtaining updated technical information, and publishing online documentation, but they encounter company resistance and are…