Customer Reviews

Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook

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4 star:		(1)
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This book offers a good introduction to some of the practicalites of qualitative research for a research degree. Thus much of the book is about research managment and structuring a thesis, issues which are relatively uncommon in books on qualitative research. What it does, it does very well. It does not offer an introduction to qualitative research and the comments on this field are very much from the perspective of Silverman's own research area, conversation analysis. Nonetheless I have found it a very helpful complement to more theoretical qualitative research texts.

This is the best book on qualitative research I could get hold of to write my thesis. It explains the topics in a very easy to understand manner, especially the theories behind the scenes. It gives very good examples. And the biggest fact is that this book is interesting to read, even with all the dry topics. I really liked the comparison of final chapter of thesis with the ending of a classical symphony.

I am new to qualitative research and have been looking for a good guidebook to help me start. Most of the qualitative research reference books I came across have been quite philosophical and not yet taking me through the step. This one is different and it is exactly what I need. Although it is a bit hard to follow at first, the chapters become shorter and easier to digest. I quite like Silverman's encouraging tone and practical suggestions. Some examples are quite difficult to follow, perhaps because of cultural difference. I hope the second edition has improvement over this.