Ethnography and Qualitative Design in Educational Research, Second Edition [Unknown Binding]

Margaret Diane LeCompte (Author), Judith Preissle (Author), Renata Tesch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0124405754 | ISBN-13: 978-0124405752 | Publication Date: January 1, 1993 | Edition: 2 Sub

An exciting addition to the field of ethnography, this revised and expanded textbook addresses ethical and theoretical concerns central to research in psychology, sociology, and anthropology - an interdisciplinary approach rarely utilized in other text. Like the First Edition, this book explains ways to collect data, methods for assuring the quality of that data, and the techniques and tools used to organize results, conclusions, and interpretations. The Second Edition diverges in that it demonstrates the delicate yet profound relationship between researchers and the material and participants under study. The authors investigate, interpret, and synthesize how each faction informs and affects the others' behavior, as well as the subsequent affect of these interactions on the results. The book discusses the historical development of ethnography and the fundamentals of how to do qualitative and ethnographic research. Other chapters address the problem of selection and of selection and research design, the issues involved in choosing relevant populations and in selecting and sampling qualitative data, and describe how populations are conceptualized. Resource and references lists are expanded to include the most recent developments. Accordingly, the use of computers as analytic tools is now addressed. This book will be of great value for both students and researchers concerned about the effects of theory and interpretation in the research process. It explores the investigative traditions and terminologies of the various interdisciplinary fields. It now includes chapters on critical, postmodern, collaborative, and feministic perspectives on the purposes and implementation of research. It contains an expanded use of concrete examples. It traces the role of research in cultural anthropology and field sociology to its current use in ethnography, educational anthropology, sociology, psychology, and other disciplines.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Margaret D. LeCompte and Judith Preissle, formerly Judith Preissle-Goetz, are, respectively, associate professor of sociology of education in the School of Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder and professor of educational anthropology in the Department of Social Science Education at the University of Georgia. Their coauthorship dates from 1977, with the presentation of their first joint paper, "Data Crunching, or, What Do I Do with the Five Drawers of Field Notes?," at the meetings of the Council on Anthropology and Education of the American Anthropological Association. Their subsequent articles have been published in the Review of Educational Research, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Anthropology and Education Quarterly, The American Behavioral Scientist, a number of handbooks on educational research in various disciplines, and a major text reference, Ethnography and Qualitative Design in Educational Research (New York: Academic Press, 1984). The latter work has been translated into Spanish and is slated for a second edition in 1992. Their professional activities include participation in professional associations serving sociologists, anthropologists, policymakers, and educators. Preissle served as secretary treasurer of the Council on Anthropology and Education, and LeCompte served as its president. LeCompte recently was elected secretary of Division G of the American Educational Research Association. Both are active in the Society for Applied Anthropology and the American Educational Studies Association. While much of their joint and separate authorship has been devoted to issues of research methodology, they also pursue empirical research interests. Preissle has done extensive studies on the role of schools and classrooms in the socialization of rural children to gender and other roles; like Preissle, LeCompte has had a long interest in studies of classroom interaction. In addition, she has done considerable research on school dropouts and on innovation and change in school pedagogy and organization.

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 425 pages
• Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing; 2 Sub edition (January 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0124405754
• ISBN-13: 978-0124405752
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #623,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finest qualitative research book available!, October 19, 2002

By 

Dr. Donald E. Ratcliff (The United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethnography and Qualitative Design in Educational Research, Second Edition

I have read several dozen qualitative research texts, as I have taught classes in this area for quite a few years, and have given seminars on qualitative research for the faculty of a number of graduate schools across the united states. The book avoids some of the extremes of more recent textbooks that advocate methods that can barely be called "research" (perhaps they could be called "art" or sometimes "literature" but not "research"). This a very human, yet systematic approach to research. I read most of the book in manuscript form prior to the first edition, then read the first edition when it came out, and then again read it in the second edition. Subsequently I read part or all of several dozen other texts, and while some came close, this is by far the best text available. Two others that come close are the Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education that Judith Preissle and Margaret LeCompte edited (with the help of a third person), and the newest edition of Michael Quinn Patton's classic introductory work.

Donald Ratcliff, Ph.D.

5.0 out of 5 stars A non-professional's view, October 25, 2009

By 

L G Jim "Little Giant" (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ethnography and Qualitative Design in Educational Research (Hardcover)

I do not do ethnographic research, but I believe it to be just as valid as "pure science" research. This volume provides many interesting and informative concepts that maintain relevance today, some twenty-five years after its publication. Very interesting and well written.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See the in-print version of this book, October 19, 2002

By 

Dr. Donald E. Ratcliff (The United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ethnography and Qualitative Design in Educational Research (Hardcover)

My full review of this incredible book is listed under the in-print description of this book. Just click on the "all editions" option next to "edition" option and below the price.