Written in a conversational and engaging style, Qualitative Research in Education: A User′s Guide provides those new to the field with a blend of practical and theoretical information. Author Marilyn Lichtman addresses a broad spectrum of recent information about the process of qualitative educational research and brings together in one volume the essential elements of all aspects of the field.
Thanks to Marilyn Lichtman for presenting qualitative research as a fun thing to do! And beneath the fun is the deep relevance and importance of this kind of research especially in education. As one of my professors say: not everything can be counted; and not all that can be counted counts. ... And this is what qualitative research does. It makes us understand world phenomena without reducing them to numbers. Such inquiry into issues and problems would lead us to deeper understanding, better appreciation, and wiser perspective of the world.
This is a great resource that is true to its title a user's guide as it gives detailed prescription of how to go about your decision to pursue qualitative research.
I wish I knew about this book when I first started trying to figure out what qualitative research entails. The author does a great job of giving basic information and providing a lot of real-life examples, all written in a friendly, informative voice. The book, examples, and suggested activities all help to better explain various aspects of qualitative research. The book is designed around the concept that the readers will be trying a small qualitative study and walks the readers through each step in the process. There is also a website with links to further articles and resources. However, it is definitely an introductory text and would not be useful to readers who are looking to better understand the nuances of qualitative research or the various methodologies.
One of the better textbooks I have ever had to read. This author does not shy away from her opinion, which makes this book extremely readable. She gives you lots of resources to learn more if you are intrigued by a certain type of research.