Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach (Applied Social Research Methods)

As a PhD student using "Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach" by Joseph A. Maxwell in my qualitative research class, I find it indispensable. Maxwell's clear and accessible writing demystifies complex concepts, making them easy to understand. Covering all key aspects, from conceptual frameworks to data analysis, this book has significantly enhanced our class discussions and individual projects. For any PhD student involved in qualitative research, this book is a must-have. Highly recommended!

The book arrived on time and was appropriately packaged. No problem there.As a doctoral student at the stage of preparing a dissertation proposal I was eager to read this text because of the last chapter on research proposals. The author did not disappoint.After only a first cover to cover reading of the third edition I was able to get three important takeaways (organization tools) which I’ve already started implementing: design mapping, using matrices and developing a proposal argument.I find the book extremely useful because it addresses the principle of coherence from not so much from a writing skills perspective but from an integrative research design perspective. In fact, this is consistent with the subtitle “an interactive approach”.Both the tools and the design map of the book (goals, conceptual framework, research questions, methods and validity) helped me see what the key elements of my project are about, how to put them together and why they are important.Throughout my first reading I felt like the author was speaking to me personally and trying to walk me through qualitative research design process holding my hand yet leading me to a point where I wanted to do (and have started) the exercises so I could develop my own argument and let go of his hand at some point.This is all any student of research (let alone qualitative researcher) could hope for.

Great textbook. Succinct with lots of examples

It is a book required by my school it is a great read.

Such a great and helpful text. The only reason I gave 4 stars had nothing to do with the content of the book. This was my first e-reader buy and I wasn't aware that the "pages" would not be the same as the book. It's pretty much impossible to cite anything without just going to get a physical copy of the book and searching for page numbers. But that has been my only gripe.

Maxwell's approach to qualitative research follows two basic lines: constant, systematic reflection; and iteration. His proposition is consistent with ethnographic approaches to research, but people with a heavier leaning towards quantitative methods may find Maxwell's propositions hard to find. Particularly, because he claims that self-reflection requires the researcher to be forthcoming about her own emotions, not only her thoughts. This position contradicts empirical approaches that claim the researcher should be purely rational. Perhaps the author could also expand his methodological framework by incorporating other aspects in the formation of the theoretical framework, such as the life experiences of the researcher and the inputs from the research participants. Overall, the book is a great introductory resource to qualitative research. I highly recommend it.

Education

This book taught me what two years of graduate school didn't. It was great for coming up with ideas for research designs beyond the typical focus group or interview. I used it for my master's thesis in journalism. For every example, it offers information on how to justify your use of that method in your defense.