Qualitative Inquiry in Everyday Life

Svend Brinkmann is professor of psychology in the Department of Communication and Psychology at the University of Aalborg, Denmark, where he serves as co-director of the Center for Qualitative Studies with Lene Tanggaard. His research is particularly concerned with philosophical, moral, and methodological issues in psychology and other human and social sciences. He is author and co-author of numerous articles and books, including John Dewey: Science for a Changing World, Qualitative Inquiry in Everyday Life, and Qualitative Interviewing.

Introduction: Making Less More PART ONE Qualitative Research and Everyday Life The Epistemology of Working with Everyday Life Materials The Ethics of Working with Everyday Life Materials PART TWO Self Observation Conversations Media Materials Movies, Images and Television Books of Fiction Conclusions: On Quality

Brinkmann's text works out of the well-established tradition of everyday life studies and the critical narrative framework developed by Steinar Kvale. It is clearly written, it is accessible, it has good examples and it systematically works through the use and study of self-observations, conversations, media, cinema, and literature Norman Denzin University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Overall, Brinkmann adds a welcome and informative contribution to the existing body of research methods literature. He presents and explains the varying theoretical and practical aspects of carrying out a relatively new and unexplored type of qualitative inquiry-everyday life research. Brinkmann's arguments are clearly articulated, and where appropriate, often supplemented by commentary on his own personal research experiences, breakdowns of key terms and concepts, and practical exercises/points for reflection. With the exception of a few areas, in which Brinkmann might have expanded the range of issues discussed (relating to ethics), or made some points clearer (on approaches involved in self-observation studies), this book could be considered very readable, accessible, and would make a useful point of reference for students, academics and researchers alike. Emma Smith Book reviews, Methodspace The book could be used interdisciplinary, in different scientific areas - by sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, experts in literature, even the ordinary reader who is interested in a more scientific approach to everyday life events and experiences. Stanislava Stoyanova Methodspace Brinkmann immediately won my interest in his book with his less is more argument... In each chapter, he provides a deeply theoretical analysis of the source and methods of studying it, lightened by an extended illustrative example exploring some aspect of the new experience or expression of guilt and shame... Throughout this book, Brinkmann is drawing on his extensive knowledge of philosophical, psychological and literary sources to argue for and exemplify a style of research that draws on points of breakdown, when everyday expectations aren't met. This book is not for the faint hearted... This is a book for the serious researcher, one from which, if you are prepared to put in the work to read, study, and apply, you will reap stimulating ideas and rich intellectual rewards. Pat Bazeley Books Reviews, Methodspace Brinkmann successfully achieves 'conceptual audacity' in his text. It comes across as multilayered, rich in description, and analysis, while at the same time providing a valuable stock of qualitative theory, and useful examples. This is an inspiring textbook, which would be useful to novice and experienced qualitative researchers alike. -- Iona Tanguay