The second edition of 30 Essential Skills for the Qualitative Researcher provides practical information for the novice qualitative researcher, addressing the "how" of conducting qualitative research. The 30 listed skills are competencies that can help qualitative researchers conduct more thorough, more rigorous, and more efficient qualitative studies.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Part I: Understanding the Landscape of Qualitative Research Chapter 1 * Thinking Like a Qualitative Researcher Why the Skill Is Important The Research Process Different Approaches to This Research Process How Qualitative Researchers Think The Boat Picture The Nature of Qualitative Research Some Misconceptions About Qualitative Research Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 2 * Building on Quantitative Research Knowledge to Implement Qualitative Research Why the Skill Is Important Characteristics of Quantitative Research in a Quantitative Journal Article Characteristics of Qualitative Research in a Qualitative Journal Article Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Characteristics on a Continuum Easy- and Hard-to-See Components Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 3 * Making Your Qualitative Project Rigorous and Conceptually Interesting Why the Skill Is Important Decide on Your Research Topic Be Cautious About Studying Your Own Backyard Make Your Topic Conceptually Interesting Include an Interesting Element in Your Title Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 4 * Managing Difficult Emotions That Come Up During Research Why the Skill Is Important The Emotional Journey of Qualitative Research Possible Steps in the Emotional Journey The Upside of Qualitative Research The Downside of Qualitative Research Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 5 * Working With Research Advisers and Committees Why the Skill Is Important Educating Your Committee Putting Forward Your Best Material On Taking Feedback Research Committee Meetings Summary Activity Further resources PART II * Considering Preliminary Elements Chapter 6 * Using Philosophy and Theory in Qualitative Research Why the Skills Are Important The Philosophy Behind Qualitative Research Writing About Philosophy in Your Qualitative Study Use of Theory in Qualitative Research Summary Activities Further resources Chapter 7 * Anticipating Ethical Issues Why the Skill Is Important Human Research Protections in Your Qualitative Research Ethical Issues at Different Phases in the Research Ethical Issues We Have Faced as Qualitative Researchers Permissions for Borrowed Material Used in Qualitative Research A Checklist for Ethics Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 8 * Organizing the Literature Why the Skill Is Important Challenges in Reviewing the Literature Options for Placing the Literature in a Qualitative Study Steps in Conducting a Literature Review Priority for Reviewing the Literature How to Design a Literature Map Additional Ideas About Designing a Literature Map A Sample Description of a Literature Map Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 9 * Viewing the Structure of a Thesis or Dissertation for a Qualitative Study Why the Skill Is Important Topics Typically Included in a Qualitative Proposal or Plan Structure of a Dissertation or Thesis Qualitative Proposal A Concept Map of the Structure of a Qualitative Journal Article Summary Activity Further resources PART III * Introducing a Qualitative Study Chapter 10 * Writing a Good Qualitative Title and Abstract Why the Skill Is Important Good Qualitative Titles Improving Titles Definition of an Abstract A Word About Word Count Topics of a Good Abstract Examples of Abstracts Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 11 * Writing a Good Introduction and Opening Sentence for a Study Why the Skill Is Important Positioning an Introduction Within a Qualitative Study Five Key Elements of a Good Introduction The First Sentence of an Introduction Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 12 * Scripting a Qualitative Purpose Statement and Research Questions Why the Skills Are Important Interrelating the Purpose, the Research Questions, and the Methods Purpose Statements Research Questions The Central Question Examples of Improving the Central Question The Central Phenomenon Summary Activity Further resources PART IV * Collecting Qualitative Data Chapter 13 * Understanding the Process of Qualitative Data Collection Why the Skill Is Important The Parts of Qualitative Data Collection A Checklist for Qualitative Data Collection Summary Activities Further resources Chapter 14 * Conducting a Good Observation Why the Skill Is Important Observation as a Developed Skill The Nature of Observing Steps in the Process of Observing Additional Helpful Guidelines for Observing Challenges in Observing Observation Checklist Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 15 * Designing and Administering an Interview Protocol Why the Skill Is Important Types of Interviews Steps in Conducting a Qualitative Interview Parts of an Interview Protocol A Sample Interview Protocol Additional Interviewing Ideas An Interview Checklist Challenges in Conducting Interviews Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 16 * Collecting Data With Marginalized Populations Why the Skills Are Important Marginalized Groups Concerns in Collecting Data From Marginalized Groups Addressing Potential Concerns Summary Activities Further resources Chapter 17 * Being Culturally Aware in Global Qualitative Research Why the Skills Are Important Key Concepts in Conducting Global Qualitative Research Cultural Competency Building Country-Level Expertise Global Research Policies Methodological Orientation and Data Collection Methods Qualitative Study Designs and Procedures Recommendations for the Global Qualitative Researcher Summary Activities Further resources PART V * Analyzing and Validating Data Chapter 18 * Coding Text Data Why the Skill Is Important The Overall Process of Qualitative Data Analysis From the Raw Data to Codes From the Raw Data to Themes The Nature of Coding Working Backward From a Theme Passage to Understand Coding The Process of Coding Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 19 * Coding Images and Pictures Why the Skill Is Important Types of Qualitative Image Data Potential Concerns When Using Images Analyzing Images Summary Activities Further resources Chapter 20 * Developing Theme Passages Why the Skill Is Important Four Levels of Evidence in Qualitative Data Analysis Elements to Write Into Themes A Table That Organizes Themes, Codes, and Quotations Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 21 * Using a Computer Software Program for Data Analysis Why the Skill Is Important Using QDA Software in the Data Analysis and Report Writing Phases Should You Use QDA Software? Major Software Programs Available How Do You Choose a QDA Program? What Are the Steps in Using QDA Software? Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 22 * Implementing Validity Checks Why the Skill Is Important What Is Validity in Qualitative Research? Types of Validity in Qualitative Research What Validity Strategies Should You Use? Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 23 * Conducting Intercoder Agreement Why the Skill Is Important What Is Intercoder Agreement? Procedures for Conducting Intercoder Agreement Examples of Intercoder Agreement From Informal to More Systematic Procedures Summary Activity Further resources PART VI * Writing and Publishing Qualitative Research Chapter 24 * Writing in a Scholarly Way Why the Skill Is Important Developing as Writers Writing to Think About Your Topic Developing the Habit of Writing Staging Your Thoughts Using Principles of Good Writing Other Strategies for Good Writing Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 25 * Writing in a Qualitative Way Why the Skill Is Important Writing Using Thick Description Writing Coherently Writing Using Similes Writing Using Quotations Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 26 * Writing Reflexively Why the Skill Is Important What Is Reflexivity? Reflexivity for the Researcher Reflexivity for the Participants Reflexivity for the Readers How to Facilitate Reflexive Writing Where Do You Place Your Personal Reflexive Statements in a Study? Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 27 * Writing a Good "Conclusion" Section Why the Skill Is Important How Do You Conclude a Qualitative Study? Perspectives on Elements of a "Conclusion" Section Two Approaches to Concluding a Qualitative Study Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 28 * Publishing a Qualitative Journal Article Why the Skill Is Important Publishing During an Academic Career Studying a Journal Before Submission Summary Activity Further resources PART VII * Evaluating a Study and Using Qualitative Designs Chapter 29 * Selecting Quality Criteria for a Qualitative Study Why the Skill Is Important Are Standards Important in Qualitative Research? Some Perspectives on the Standards Question What Standards Should You Use? Summary Activity Further resources Chapter 30 * Selecting a Qualitative Design Why the Skill Is Important Moving From Generic to Types of Qualitative Designs The Choice of Five Designs to Emphasize How Do You Choose What Design Is Appropriate for Your Project? An Example, "Turning the Story" Summary Activity Further resources Glossary References