• Part 1 Background to qualitative methods in psychology
• 1 What is qualitative research in psychology and was it really hidden?
• 2 How qualitative methods developed in psychology: the qualitative revolution
• Part 2 How to collect qualitative data
• 3 Qualitative interviewing
• 4 Focus groups
• 5 Ethnography/participant observation
• Part 3 Qualitative data analysis
• 6 How to transcribe recordings
• 7 Thematic analysis
• 8 Using grounded theory
• 9 Social constructionist discourse analysis and discursive psychology
• 10 Conversation analysis
• 11 Foucauldian discourse analysis
• 12 Phenomenology
• 13 Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
• 14 Narrative analysis
• Part 4 Successful writing-up, ensuring quality and ethical clearance in qualitative research
• 15 How to write a good qualitative report
• 16 Ensuring quality in your research
• 17 How to obtain ethical clearance for qualitative research
• 18 Examples of qualitative report writing: learning to write good reports

“This comprehensive and clear text provides a useful overview of qualitative methods in psychology and will be invaluable to those who are new to the area.”

Dr Cath Sullivan, University of Central Lancashire.

Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in Psychology by Dennis Howitt provides a comprehensive, practical and up to date coverage of the area. For the fourth edition, the text has been extensively revised for easier reading and comprehension. With a clear and straightforward style, the book introduces qualitative research from data collection to analysis. Examples of real research and practical guidance for each methodological approach are included throughout to equip the reader with an understanding of the process and the skills to be able to carry out their own research. There are also dedicated sections on ethics, quality and report writing. All of this is achieved while providing a thorough theoretical and historical context for the qualitative methods.

With an increased focus on helping students to develop the practical skills for carrying out qualitative research, this 4th edition includes examples of how the theory can be put into practice throughout. Examples of qualitative reports, with annotated commentary give students a clear idea how to write up a report. The text covers a range of methods evaluating each in a constructive, non-partisan way.

Key features

• Focus on putting theory into practice, guiding students on ‘how to’ conduct research

• Chapter structure provides a consistent framework for learning, understanding and revising

• Illustrative research studies demonstrate real-world uses of the different methods

• Key concept boxes highlight important terms and explain them in more detail

• Additional resources such as books, journals and websites are recommended at the end of each chapter, to make further study more accessible

• The comprehensive glossary provides quick definitions of key terms

Enhance your skills and understanding through the companion website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/howitt, where you will find a range of useful resources

Key features

• Focus on putting theory into practice which guide students on ‘how to’ conduct research

• Chapter structure provides a consistent framework for learning, understanding and revising

• Illustrative research studies demonstrate real-world uses of the different methods

• Key concept boxes highlight important terms and explain them in more detail

• Additional resources such as books, journals and websites are recommended at the end of each chapter, to make further study more accessible

• The comprehensive glossary provides quick definitions of key terms

With an increased focus on helping students to develop the practical skills for carrying out qualitative research, this 4th edition includes examples of how the theory can be put into practice throughout. Examples of qualitative reports, with annotated commentary give students a clear idea how to write up a report. The text covers a range of methods evaluating each in a constructive, non-partisan way.