The Craft of Qualitative Longitudinal Research

Bren Neale is Emeritus Professor of Life Course and Family Research at the University of Leeds, UK, and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. She was the director of the ESRC-funded Timescapes Study from 2007 to 2012. She has contributed to advances in Qualitative Longitudinal methods across academia, government and the voluntary sector, both in the UK and internationally, and continues to provide training and support in this methodology for new and established researchers.

Part One: Introducing Qualitative Longitudinal Research Chapter 1: Qualitative Longitudinal Research: Mapping the field Chapter 2: Time and the Processual Turn: Fluid Enquiry Chapter 3. Time and the Life Course Part Two: Crafting Qualitative Longitudinal Research Chapter 4: Design and Sampling in Qualitative Longitudinal Research Chapter 5: Longitudinal Ethics: Walking Alongside Chapter 6: Generating Qualitative Longitudinal Data Part Three: Journeys with Data Chapter 7: Managing Qualitative Longitudinal Data: Ethics and Practicalities Chapter 8: Working with Legacy Data Chapter 9: Qualitative Longitudinal Analysis: Basic Strategies Chapter 10: Cases and Themes in Qualitative Longitudinal Analysis Chapter 11: Process and Synthesis in Qualitative Longitudinal Analysis Conclusion Chapter 12: Looking Back, Looking Forward

An engaging, timely and tremendously generous guide to qualitative longitudinal research. This book will be of great value to both readers already using this method and those new to the field. -- Julia Cook Bren is the authoritative voice of qualitative longitudinal enquiry and methods. Her accessible and engaging style is both informative and captivating and makes this text a must read. -- Anna Tarrant Written by a world-renowned scholar, this is a seminal text for qualitative longitudinal research. Bren Neale's wealth of experience, thought-provoking reflections and synthesis of other key studies, provides an accessible, comprehensive and timely guide for researchers, students and teachers. -- Susie Weller Exploring social life over time opens up exciting research possibilities, Bren Neale provides a lucid and insightful guide to all aspects of qualitative longitudinal research. This engaging, informative, and readable book is gold standard. Highly recommended. -- Jane Millar A sensitive and thorough examination of qualitative longitudinal research, Neale's volume presents the rewards, challenges, and ethical demands of researching lives and communities through time. She sets out the history and value of QL, offers a clear discussion of the necessary craft and commitment to collaboration and shared authority, and provides examples of cases that illustrate themes and strategies. A superb and authoritative history and guide. -- Anya Peterson Royce