Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding by Doing [Paperback]

Judith M. Meloy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0805832890 | ISBN-13: 978-0805832891 | Edition: 2

The purpose of this book is to share, in rich detail, an understanding of how it feels and what it means to do qualitative research, and to provide support for doctoral students who choose this form of inquiry for their dissertation research.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fine update and expansion of the original volume....All inquirers struggle with common questions. What am I writing? Who am I writing for? How am I supposed to write this? Why should I do it anyhow? This book reveals the experiences of novice researchers as they grapple with these questions on their journeys through particular inquiries....In this second edition novices' concerns are conceptual as well as logistical. Meloy demonstrates how research is political, social, cultural, and personal, as well as theoretical and practical. Her participants provide insights into both the challenges and the satisfactions of qualitative inquiry....In addition to being an empathetic representation of novice inquiry, it is also a fine instructional guide. Its organization and focus convey the crucial decision points in research with examples of how people have made those decisions. It is a fine supplement to those textbooks that discuss decision alternatives but offer less guidance to threading a way through them.

—Judith Preissle
University of Georgia

For graduate students seeking advice on the art and science of preparing a dissertation, this book offers a medley of testimonials to the process as part rite of passage, part finding one's voice, part bildungs roman, part socio-political act, part intellectual adventure.
—Thomas A. Schwandt
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Psychology Press; 2 edition (July 3, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805832890
• ISBN-13: 978-0805832891
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #809,882 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Demystifies the qualitative dissertation!, April 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding By Doing (Paperback)

When I work with my clients to plan their dissertation research, I usually advise against doing a qualitative dissertation due to its numerous challenges. However, to those clients who choose to do a qualitative dissertation, I recommend this book. Meloy demystifies the qualitative dissertation, offering practical, step-by step advice. Her book is indispensable for any student doing qualitative research, no matter what the subject area.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Clear, Conversational, October 14, 2001

By 

praxishabitus "reader, researcher, reflector" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding by Doing (Paperback)

Great overview of the "feel" in doing a qualitative dissertation. Good bibliography that gets you in the right direction. Don't expect too much methodological depth -- just several very honest people talking about the process from start to finish. I found it very helpful for me right now (I have a topic and will be defending my proposal in a month). If you are at this stage, highly recommended.

42 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Qualitative Research: you are not alone, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding By Doing (Paperback)

This book was very helpful to me in the sense that it made me realize that the doubts and anxiety that I am experiencing in choosing a qualitative dissertation are real. It provided me with assurances that this is not an easy process, yet providing encouragement that it is possible. Lastly, it provided the pros/cons to a qualitative dissertation, the questions to address, and how to deal with the obstacles.