Doing Qualitative Research

David Silverman trained as a sociologist at the London School of Economics and the University of California, Los Angeles. He taught for 32 years at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is interested in conversation and discourse analysis and he has researched medical consultations and HIV-test counselling.He is the author of Interpreting Qualitative Data (Seventh Edition, 2024) and A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Qualitative Research (Second Edition, 2013). He is also the editor of Qualitative Research (Sixth Edition, 2026) and the Sage series, Introducing Qualitative Methods. In recent years, he has offered short, hands-on workshops in qualitative research for research students and faculty at universities in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.Now retired from full-time work, David aims to watch one hundred days of cricket a year. He also enjoys voluntary work in an old people’s home where he sings with residents with dementia and strokes.

There is no doubt that "Doing Qualitative Research" is a Bible for all qualitative researchers. Unlike the Bible, however, it is constantly updated, taking into account both new methods and new circumstances in which research takes place. A classic, but always relevant.

• Part One: IntroductionChapter 1: How To Use This BookChapter 2: What You Can (and Can’t) Do with Qualitative ResearchWhat is Qualitative Research?Why Do Some Researchers Prefer Qualitative Methods?Are Qualitative Methods Always Appropriate?Should You Use Qualitative Methods?Chapter 3: Focusing a Research ProjectMoira’s Research DiarySally’s Research DiarySimon’s Research DiaryPart Two: Starting Out and Project FoundationsChapter 4: Formulating a Research QuestionChallengesSolutionsSome CautionsChapter 5: Ethical ResearchThe Standards of Ethical ResearchWhy Ethics Matter for Your ResearchEthical Guidelines in PracticeComplex Ethical IssuesResearch GovernanceConclusion: Managing Unfolding Ethical DemandsChapter 6: Research DesignInterviewsEthnographiesTextsThe InternetAudio DataVisual DataMixed MethodsChapter 7: Using TheoriesHow Theoretical Models Shape ResearchThe Different Languages of Qualitative ResearchTheories, Models and HypothesesExamplesChapter 8: Choosing a MethodologyQualitative or Quantitative?Your Research StrategyChoosing a Methodology: A Case StudyNaturally Occurring Data?Mixed Methods?Chapter 9: Writing a Research ProposalAim for Crystal ClarityPlan Before You WriteBe PersuasiveBe PracticalMake Broader LinksA Caution: Misunderstanding Qualitative Research?Part Three: Getting SupportChapter 10: Making Good Use of Your SupervisorSupervision Horror StoriesStudent and Supervisor ExpectationsThe Early StagesThe Later StagesStandards of Good PracticeChapter 11: Getting FeedbackWritingSpeakingThe Art of Presenting ResearchFeedback from the People You StudyPart Four: Collecting and Analysing DataChapter 12: How much data do you need?The Quantitative Model of GeneralizationHow many interviews do you need?Purposive Sampling in interview researchWhat is a case study?The Rationale of Case Study DesignCase Study Research in PracticeTheoretical samplingChapter 13: Collecting Your DataCollecting Interview DataCollecting Focus Group DataCollecting Ethnographic DataCollecting Internet DataCollecting Your Data in the Wake of a PandemicChapter 14: Developing Data AnalysisKick-Starting Data AnalysisA Case StudyInterviewsFieldnotesTranscriptsVisual DataChapter 15: Using Qualitative Data Analysis Software: An IntroductionWhat is Qualitative Data Analysis Software?Software for Qualitative Analysis? Great - so will it do analysis for me?OK, so how can this software help me?If I decide to use QDAS, do I have to use the program for all aspects of my analysis?You continue to mention writing - why is that so important?Will QDAS help my teamwork?Hopes and Fears connected to using QDASWhat hardware do I need to run QDAS?What are some strategies for learning to use QDAS, and to see if a specific software will work for my project?Tips for doing analysis with QDChapter 16: Quality in Qualitative ResearchValidityReliabilityChapter 17: Effective Qualitative ResearchKeep It SimpleDo Not Assume That We Are Only Concerned with Subjective ExperienceTake Advantage of Using Qualitative DataAvoid Drowning in DataAvoid JournalismPart Five: Writing Up Your ResearchChapter 18: What Counts as ‘Originality’?OriginalityBeing a ProfessionalIndependent Critical ThoughtChapter 19: Considering Your AudienceThe Policy-Making AudienceThe Practitioner AudienceThe Lay AudienceChapter 20: The First Few PagesThe TitleThe AbstractKeywordsThe Table of ContentsThe IntroductionChapter 21: The Literature Review ChapterRecording Your ReadingWriting Your Literature ReviewPractical QuestionsPrinciplesDo You Need a Literature Review Chapter?Chapter 22: The Methodology ChapterWhat Should the Methodology Chapter Contain?A Natural History Chapter?Chapter 23: Writing Your Data ChaptersThe MacrostructureThe MicrostructureTightening upChapter 24: Your Concluding ChapterThe Concluding Chapter as Mutual StimulationWhat Exactly Should Your Concluding Chapter Contain?Confessions and TrumpetsTheorizing as Thinking Through DataWriting for AudiencesWhy Your Concluding Chapter Can Be FunPart Six: The Aftermath Chapter 25: Managing an Oral ExaminationViva Horror StoriesPreparing for Your OralDoing the OralOutcomesRevising Your Thesis after the OralA Case StudyChapter 26: Getting PublishedThe Backstage Politics of PublishingStrategic ChoicesWhat Journals are Looking ForReviewers’ CommentsHow to Write a Short Journal Article