Table of Contents

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

About the Author

Johnny Saldaña is Professor Emeritus from Arizona State University’s (ASU) School of Film, Dance, and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, where he taught from 1981 to 2014. He received his BFA in Drama and English Education in 1976, and MFA in Drama Education in 1979 from the University of Texas at Austin.

Saldaña is the author of Longitudinal Qualitative Research: Analyzing Change through Time (AltaMira Press, 2003); Fundamentals of Qualitative Research (Oxford University Press, 2011); Ethnotheatre: Research from Page to Stage (Left Coast Press, 2011); Thinking Qualitatively: Methods of Mind (Sage Publications, 2015); a commissioned title for Routledge’s World Library of Educationalists Series, Writing Qualitatively: The Selected Works of Johnny Saldaña (Routledge, 2018); co-author with the late Matthew B. Miles and A. Michael Huberman for Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook (4th ed., Sage Publications, 2020); co-author with Matt Omasta for Qualitative Research: Analyzing Life (Sage Publications, 2018); and the editor of Ethnodrama: An Anthology of Reality Theatre (AltaMira Press, 2005). Previous editions of The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers have been translated into Korean, Turkish, and Chinese-Simplified.

Saldaña’s methods works have been cited and referenced in more than 16,000 research studies conducted in over 130 countries in disciplines such as K-12 and higher education, medicine and health care, technology and social media, business and economics, government and social services, the fine arts, the social sciences, human development, and communication. He has published a wide range of research articles in journals such as Research in Drama Education, The Qualitative Report, Multicultural Perspectives, Youth Theatre Journal, Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Teaching Theatre, Research Studies in Music Education, Cultural Studies ? Critical Methodologies, the International Journal of Qualitative Methods, the International Review of Qualitative Research, and Qualitative Inquiry, and has contributed several chapters to research methods handbooks. His most popular journal article, “Blue-Collar Qualitative Research: A Rant” (Qualitative Inquiry, 2014), has been downloaded by over 3,000 readers, according to ResearchGate.

Saldaña’s research in qualitative inquiry, data analysis, and performance ethnography has received awards from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, the National Communication Association-Ethnography Division, the American Educational Research Association’s Qualitative Research Special Interest Group, New York University’s Program in Educational Theatre, the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America, and the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Matt Omasta is Associate Professor and Theatre Education Program Director at Utah State University. He received his BA from Ithaca College, his MA from Emerson College, and his PhD from Arizona State University. He is the author of Play, Performance, and Identity: How Institutions Structure Ludic Spaces (Routledge), Playwriting and Young Audiences (Intellect), and numerous articles in journals including Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, Youth Theatre Journal, Theatre for Young Audiences Today, Theatre Topics, and the International Journal of Education and the Arts among others. Omasta′s work has been recognized by honors including the Founders′ Award from the Educational Theatre Association, the Lin Wright Special Recognition Award and the Research Award from the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, and the Arts and Learning Special Interest Group (A & L SIG) Dissertation Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Reviews

"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 Saldaña 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*

"Saldaña 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*

"Saldaña 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*