Table of Contents

Preface ix

The Authors xvii

Part One: the Design of Qualitative Research 1

1 What Is Qualitative Research? 3

2 Six Common Qualitative Research Designs 22

3 Expanding the Qualitative Paradigm: Mixed Methods, Action, Critical, and Arts Based Research 43

4 Designing Your Study and Selecting a Sample 73

Part Two: Collecting Qualitative Data 105

5 Conducting Effective Interviews 107

6 Being a Careful Observer 137

7 Mining Data from Documents and Artifacts 162

Part Three: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Data 191

8 Qualitative Data Analysis 195

9 Dealing with Validity, Reliability, and Ethics 237

10 Writing Up Qualitative Research 267

Appendix: The Methodology Section of a Qualitative Research Study 293
Sharan B. Merriam

References 301

Name Index 323

Subject Index 331

About the Author

SHARAN B. MERRIAM is professor emerita of adult education at the University of Georgia. She is the author, coauthor, or editor of more than fifteen books, including Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice and Qualitative Research in Practice, both from Jossey-Bass.

ELIZABETH J. TISDELL is professor of adult education and coordinator of the doctoral program in adult education at Penn State University Harrisburg.