"Stretching" Exercises for Qualitative Researchers

Valerie J. Janesick (PhD, Michigan State University) is Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, in the department of Leadership, Counseling, Adult, Career and Higher Education, LCACHE, University of South Florida, Tampa. She teaches classes in qualitative research methods, curriculum theory and inquiry, and ethics in leadership. Her latest book, "Contemplative Qualitative Inquiry: Practicing the Zen of Research (2015) Left Coast Press, argues for the use of Zen approaches to qualitative inquiry cast as Contemplative Qualitative Inquiry. Her chapters in the Handbook of Qualitative Research (first and second editions) use dance and the arts as metaphors for understanding research. Her book, Oral History for the Qualitative Researcher: Choreographing the Story (2010), Guilford Press, incorporates, poetry, photography and the arts to capture lived experience. She serves on the editorial board of The Qualitative Report, and the International Journal of Qualitative Methods. She continues to take classes in yoga and meditation.

In this third version of Stretching Exercises for Qualitative Researchers, Janesick (2011) continues to refine and expand upon ways in which qualitative researchers-both new to the field and experienced-can expand and hone a number of skills essential to being an effective researcher. This book combines valuable information, as well as practical exercises, to assist in the development of interviewing, observing, journaling, narrating, analyzing, interpreting, and collaborating skills, which Janesick refers to as "habits of mind"... "Overall, this book does an excellent job of supporting beginning and intermediate qualitative researchers who have questions about many of the stages, processes, and procedures that they will face and who want to sharpen themselves as a research instrument." -- Kristen Chorba The Qualitative Report

• Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1. Qualitative Research and Habits of Mind Chapter 2. The Observation and Writing Habit Exercise 2.1: Observing a Still Life Scene Exercise 2.2: Physical Description of This Setting Exercise 2.3: Observation in the Home or Workplace Exercise 2.4: Description of a Familiar Person or a Stranger Exercise 2.5: Observing at an Art Museum or at a Movie Exercise 2.6: Observing an Animal at Home, the Zoo, or a Pet shop Exercise 2.7: Drawing to Become a Better Observer: Drawing Upside Down Chapter 3. Advancing the Observation and Reflection Habit Exercise 3.1: Nonparticipant Observation Assignment Exercise 3.2: Reflecting to Strengthen the Writing Habit Exercise 3.3: Writing Your Educational Autobiography Exercise 3.4: Writing a Pedagogical Letter Chapter 4. The Interviewing and Writing Habit Exercise 4.1: Interviewing Someone You Know Exercise 4.2: Interviewing a Stranger Exercise 4.3: The Oral History Interview Exercise 4.4: The Focus Group Interview Demonstration Exercise Exercise 4.5: Presenting Interview Data as a Found Data Poem Exercise 4.6: The Digital, Virtual Interview and Google Groups Exercise 4.7: Interviewing Someone Twice Exercise 4.8: Practicing an Online Interview Chapter 5. The Creative Habit Exercise 5.1: Variations on Writing Your Name Exercise 5.2: The Camera as an Extension of the Eye, the Eye as an Extension of the Soul Exercise 5.3: Building a Collage: My Role as a Researcher Exercise 5.4: Constructing a YaYa Box or Making a Quilt Patch Exercise 5.5: Writing About Your Favorite Vegetable Exercise 5.6: Your Journey Exercise 5.7: Reflective Journal Writing Practice in Dialogue Form Exercise 5.8: Haiku and Any Form of Poetry on the Role of the Researcher Exercise 5.9: Framed Photograph and Narrative Writing Exercise Chapter 6. The Analysis and Writing Habit: Making Sense of the Data, Ethics, and Other Issues Exercise 6.1: Design and Create a Cover for the Researcher Reflective Journal Appendixes: A. Sample Letter to Participants B. Examples of Researcher Reflective Journals C. Sample Interview Protocols From a Completed Study D. Qualitative Research Methods: Sample Syllabus E. Sample Projects From Various Classes F. Sample Consent Form Recently Accepted by the Institutional Review Board G. Conducting Qualitative Interviews: Rules of Thumb H. Sample Sets of Themes and Categories From a Completed Study I. Electronic Resources J. Qualitative Dissertation Costs K. Sample Member Check Form L. Samples of Interview Transcripts (Edited) M. The Analytical Process of Coding Bibliography Index