Qualitative Social Research

Vivienne Waller is a Sociology Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology with research interests in the areas of knowledge, the environment, and technology, as well as research methods more generally. Viv holds a PhD in Sociology from Australian National University and a BA and a BSc from the University of Melbourne. Prior to entering academia, she worked as a consultant conducting social research and in policy and evaluation areas of the Australian government. Karen Farquharson is Associate Dean (Research & Engagement) and Associate Professor of Sociology at Swinburne University of Technology. She is a sociologist with research interests in the areas of sport, race and the media, and on issues of belonging and social inclusion more generally. Karen holds PhD and MA degrees in Sociology from Harvard University and a BA in Social Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She was also the recipient of a Fulbright International Dissertation Research Fellowship to South Africa. Deborah Dempsey is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. She holds a BA and MA from the University of Melbourne and a PhD from La Trobe University. Deb’s research interests are in the sociology of families, relationships, personal life and ageing, particularly relatedness in the era of assisted reproductive technologies and the socio-legal aspects of same-sex relationships. Before becoming an academic, Deb conducted social research in the community and social marketing sectors.

Qualitative Social Research provides a comprehensive and practical overview of qualitative research methodologies and I have no hesitation in recommending it as essential reading for students

• Part 1: Getting readyChapter1: The Foundations of Qualitative ResearchChapter 2: Aims of qualitative researchChapter 3: From topic to research designChapter 4: The Politics and Ethics of Qualitative ResearchPart 2: Doing the researchChapter 5: SamplingChapter 6: InterviewingChapter 7: Focus groups and group interviewsChapter 8: Observing peopleChapter 9: Observing thingsChapter 10: Observing textsChapter 11: Narrative inquiryChapter 12: Making sense: data management, analysis and reportingChapter 13: Combining Approaches