A Guide to Qualitative Field Research

Having received her Ph.D. from Washington State University, Carol A. Bailey is an Associate Professor in Sociology at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has won numerous teaching awards, including the university-wide Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence. She has also been Chair of the University Writing Program at the Academy of Teaching Excellence.

List of Tables, Figures, and Photographs Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1. Introduction to Qualitative Field Research Objectives Overview Examples of Field Research Major Features of Field Research Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 2. Ethics Objectives Informed Consent Deception Confidentiality Relationships Ethics in Virtual Field Research Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 3. Topic, Purpose, and Research Questions Objectives Research Topic Purpose of Research Research Questions Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 4. Theory and Review of Literature Objectives Concepts Theory Review of Literature Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 5. Paradigms, Research Design, and Introduction to Methodology Objectives Proposal Paradigms Research Design Methodology Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 6. From Gaining Entree to Exiting the Field Objectives Gaining Entree and Gatekeepers Preparations Arrival in the Field Key Actors Field Relationships Time in the Field Leaving the Field Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 7. Observations Objectives Should I Conduct Covert or Overt Observations? Should I Only Observe or Participate Fully When Observing? Where Should I Observe? Should My Observations Be Structured or Unstructured? What Should I Observe? Research Questions Unit of Analysis Ethics Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 8. Interviews Objectives Types of Interviews Question Construction Interview Questions and Research Questions Location of the Interview Rapport Ethics Status Characteristics Alternatives to Face-to-Face Interviews After the Interview Sampling Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 9. Field Notes Objectives Purposes of Field Notes Taking Field Notes Field Note Content Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommend Reading Chapter 10. Procedures for Increasing Validity and Trustworthiness Objectives Validity and Trustworthiness Strategies for Enhancing Validity and Trustworthiness Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 11. Introduction to Analysis and Coding Objectives Analysis Coding Practical Aspects of Coding Coding and Grounded Theory Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 12. Descriptions and Typologies Objectives Descriptions Typologies Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 13. Thematic Analysis Objectives Purposes of a Thematic Analysis What Are Themes? Identifying Versus Emerging Themes Overarching Themes Topical Themes Interpretation Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading Chapter 14. Research Stories and Critical Events and Cases Objectives Elements in a Research Story Critical Events and Cases Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommend Reading Chapter 15. Writing and the Final Paper Objectives Writing Process Writing Styles Used in Final Papers Format of a Final Paper Putting It All Together Conclusions Chapter Highlights Exercises Online and Recommended Reading References Glossary Index

"Methods texts often suffer from dry material and inaccessible definitions. This text makes methods accessible through an inviting, jargon-free tone, and engaging through its many creative suggestions for applying the lessons in hands-on exercises." -- Andrew Nelson "This book offers a very comprehensive examination of fieldwork that includes practical and theoretical guidance for all students-undergraduate and graduate. The inclusion of online participant-observation considerations sets this book apart from all the others." -- Pamela A. Kaylor "So much more than most methods texts, this text actually offers the tools and examples to help students actually plan and do research. Full of practical examples, useful tips, frameworks and tactics, this text is a great primer for students who want to get out into the field" -- Raymond Dart "A Guide to Qualitative Research is an invaluable handbook for students embarking on qualitative research. Comprehensive, detailed, and engaging, it covers all of the key elements of qualitative research and is an insightful and practical text to inspire and guide future qualitative researchers." -- Katja M. Guenther "Carol Bailey's work is of the highest quality. I wholeheartedly consider it to be one of the better qualitative fieldwork texts geared toward neophyte students of qualitative research that I have come across in many years. It is obvious that she put some time into thinking about and conceptually organizing the book. It all flows together quite nicely with an engaging and crisp writing style that will keep readers attention." -- Michael Birzer "A Guide to Qualitative Field Research is an accessible introduction to the design and conduct of qualitative research. For students new to this methodology, this text provides insight into key concepts and issues that should be part of their methodological toolkit, so that they know how to begin their studies, what to expect along the way, and strategies to address those "bumps" that are all too common in field research." -- Amira Proweller