This innovative text presents a fresh approach to teaching and learning qualitative methods for social inquiry - one that focuses on analysis from the very beginning. It cultivates a skill set and literacy base that prepare readers to work strategically with their empirical materials in their own fieldwork.

List of Displays Preface The Organization and Through-Line of the Book The Coauthors' Approach To the Instructor Acknowledgments About the Authors PART I-ANALYZING QUALITATIVE DATA Chapter 1-Introduction: Analyzing Life Introduction Developing Fundamental Qualitative Analytic Skills On Qualitative Data Analysis-and Life Closure and Transition Resources for an Introduction to Qualitative Analysis Analytic Exercises Sample Data for Analysis Chapter 2-Analyzing Field Sites Introduction On Culture Observation Settings The Observer's Frames Field Notes Technical Matters of Fieldwork and Field Notes Analyzing Observations of Social Life Closure and Transition Resources for Participant Observation Analytic Exercises for Participant Observation Sample Field Notes for Analysis Chapter 3-Analyzing Documents, Artifacts, and Visual Materials Introduction On Values, Attitudes, and Beliefs Analyzing Manifest and Latent Contents The Materials and Meanings of Human Production Analyzing Documents Analyzing Artifacts Analyzing Visual Materials The Routines, Rituals, Rules, Roles, and Relationships in Documents, Artifacts, and Visual Materials Closure and Transition Resources for Analyzing Documents, Artifacts, and Visual Materials Analytic Exercises for Documents, Artifacts, and Visual Materials Sample Photograph Chapter 4-Analyzing Interviews: Preparing, Conducting, and Transcribing Introduction Types of Interviews Participant Selection Interview Preparation, Scheduling, and Arrangements Asking Questions Transcribing Closure and Transition Analytic Exercises for Interviewing Chapter 5-Analyzing Interviews: Condensing and Coding Introduction Interview Condensation Analyzing Interviews Through Codes and Coding Closure and Transition Resources for Interviewing Analytic Exercises for Interviewing Sample Interview Transcript PART II-ANALYZING THE FRAMEWORK Chapter 6-Analyzing Qualitative Methodologies Introduction Theoretical Premises of Qualitative Research A Rationale for Qualitative Research Selected Methodologies of Qualitative Research and Analysis Mixed Methods On Genres Closure and Transition Resources for Analyzing Qualitative Research Methodologies Analytic Exercises for Qualitative Research Methodologies Appendix Readings Chapter 7-Analyzing Qualitative Research Design Introduction Researching and Analyzing the Topic Analyzing the Literature Research Questions Site Selection Participant Selection Data Collection Methods Data Analysis Methods Presentation Modes Timeline Design Conceptual Frameworks Closure and Transition Resources for Analyzing Qualitative Research Design Analytic Exercises for Qualitative Research Design Outline for a Qualitative Research Proposal Chapter 8-Analyzing Research Ethics Introduction The Rules of Research Institutional Review Boards Researcher and Participant Relationships Analyzing Ethical Ambiguity Closure and Transition Resources for Research Ethics Analytic Exercises for Research Ethics PART III-ANALYTIC ASSEMBLAGE Chapter 9-Analytic Synthesis: Condensing, Patterning, and Unifying Introduction On Synthesis Condensing Large Amounts of Data Patterning Textual and Visual Materials Unifying Seemingly Different Things Closure and Transition Analytic Exercises for Analytic Synthesis Chapter 10-Analytic Synthesis: Understanding, Interpreting, and Theorizing Introduction Understanding Social Processes of Human Action, Reaction, and Interaction Interpreting the Routines, Rituals, Rules, Roles, and Relationships of Social Life Theorizing CAQDAS On Credibility and Trustworthiness Closure and Transition Resources for Analytic Synthesis Analytic Exercises for Analytic Synthesis Sample Data for Analytic Synthesis Chapter 11-Analytic Write-Ups Introduction Stylistic Approaches to Research Writing On Writing About the Major Elements of a Study Journal Article Submission and Publication Closure and Transition Resources for Analytic Write-Ups Analytic Exercises for Write-Ups Sample Abstracts for Analysis Chapter 12-Analytic Presentations Introduction Paper Presentations Poster Presentations Dramatic/Staged Readings Presenting Data Effectively Professional Networking Closure and Transition Resources for Presenting Qualitative Research Analytic Exercises for Presentations Chapter 13-Closure: Leading an Analytic Life Introduction Learning More About Qualitative Research On Professional Development Analysis as a Lens, Filter, and Angle on Life Closure Resources for Leading an Analytic Life Analytic Exercises for Leading an Analytic Life Appendix-Three Representative Articles in Qualitative Research Introduction "On the Bus With Vonnie Lee: Explorations in Life History and Metaphor" Discussion Topics and Activities for "On the Bus With Vonnie Lee" "Nightmares, Demons, and Slaves: Exploring the Painful Metaphors of Workplace Bullying" Discussion Topics and Activities for "Nightmares, Demons, and Slaves" "'They Think Minority Means Lesser Than': Black Middle-Class Sons and Fathers Resisting Microaggressions in the School" Discussion Topics and Activities for "They Think Minority Means Lesser Than" Glossary References Index

"Very accessible and comprehensive text with a unique approach to teaching qualitative research." -- Sharon Lynn Casapulla"Qualitative Research: Analyzing Life presents students with the most important dimensions of qualitative research through a unique analytic lens. It offers students an intimate exploration of the fascinating world of naturalistic inquiry through a nuanced examination of material essential to their success as qualitative researchers." -- Nathan R. Durdella"Johnny Saldana and Matt Omasta flawlessly weave together powerful examples, valuable sample material, and complex ideas to create a methods text for everyone. It both enriches and demystifies the work of qualitative researchers." -- Sally Campbell Galman"This book is exceptional and unique for starting with the basics of doing analysis in the first chapter and then having each chapter add further analysis as more qualitative methods are discussed. I know students will love it." -- Karla B. Hackstaff"The authors provide accessibility to the topic of scientific research practices for the student qualitative researcher. [Qualitative Research: Analyzing Life] provides interesting activities and nicely articulated step-by-step instructions on major areas of focus including interviewing, coding, and analysis." -- Kristina N. Kahl"This is a creative and deeply explanatory text that takes new qualitative researchers through the depths of doing methods work." -- Lauren Moret"This book offers a refreshing approach to teaching qualitative research that will most certainly give students a deeper understanding of what it means to engage in qualitative inquiry." -- Eric D. Teman"Saldana and Omasta have written a user-friendly, comprehensive text with enlightening examples for those desiring to learn how to become qualitative researchers. They remind us at every turn that each aspect of the process is analytical, and they provide the necessary tools for us to be thoughtful, creative, and consistent in our choices as researchers from start to finish." -- Silvia Bettez"Saldana and Omasta's Analyzing Life provides a text for both emerging and experienced scholars. Through their methodological examples, ontological thinking, and theoretical guiding, this book demystifies the process of analyzing qualitative data." -- Cassie F. Quigley,"This book marks an important transition in the teaching of qualitative research methods by emphasizing in a clear and practical way the importance of analytic insight throughout the research process." -- Rachel Campbell"This book provides the most readable, comprehensive overviews of qualitative methods that I have ever encountered. In addition to covering all the basics, with examples and detailed 'how-to' descriptions, it includes a number of creative ways of analyzing data that enhances the findings and promotes theory building." -- Shirley A. Hill"This is a thoughtful and imminently useful book that offers readers a glimpse into, and instruction for, the doing of qualitative research. It provides tricks of the trade that will prove helpful to novice and senior researchers alike." -- Matthew B. Ezzell"A highly beneficial contribution for qualitative research-the chapters are easily accessible for emerging researchers and scholars, and those looking to investigate new and unfamiliar qualitative methodologies. Readers are provided practical guidance that broadens their qualitative research understanding with relatable exemplars and makes researching achievable." -- Leah E. LeFebvre"This book is inviting, engaging, and impressive in the way it deals with complex, key issues of conducting qualitative research. Warmly recommended." -- Liora Bresler