Successful Qualitative Research
A Practical Guide for Beginners
- Virginia Braun - University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Victoria Clarke - University of the West of England, UK
*Winner of the 2014 Distinguished Publication Award (DPA) from the Association for Women in Psychology (AWP)*
Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners is an accessible, practical textbook. It sidesteps detailed theoretical discussion in favor of providing a comprehensive overview of strategic tips and skills for starting and completing successful qualitative research.
Uniquely, the authors provide a "patterns framework" to qualitative data analysis in this book, also known as "thematic analysis." The authors walk students through a basic thematic approach, and compare and contrast this with other approaches. This discussion of commonalities, explaining why and when each method should be used, and in the context of looking at patterns, will provide students with complete confidence for their qualitative research journey.
This textbook will be an essential textbook for undergraduates and postgraduates taking a course in qualitative research or using qualitative approaches in a research project.
Supplements
Information for Mac users
These online resources are not compatible with Safari, please use Google Chrome or another preferred browser to access them.
Excellent for dissertation students
Because my students are not used to doing qualitative research I decided to use only one methodological approach, which is Mayring and not Braun & Clarke. Nevertheless, I like the book and would use it as a text book for thematic analysis.
Qualitative research explained in a very easy to understand way.
This a a goodbook as a guide to under graduate and post graduate students. It covers some of the mst fundamental skills needed to conduct a qualitative research study. Summary of each chapter is very helpful.
A very handy guide for students new to this area of research.
really useful text that walks the reader through research process and methods.
Excellent text. Good use of 'boxes' to clarify and highlight key concepts. Good idea to support lecturers in providing key questions for lecture/classroom discussion. The additional resources for each chapter were varied and appropriate. the key aspect/positive for the text was the step by step, or, chapter by chapter guide on qualitative analysis. Students often struggle with the coding etc...and these chapters provided a clear and unambiguous approach to the process.
I have been waiting for this text ever since using Braun and Clarke's seminar 2006 paper extensively to support my qualitative methods teaching at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level in Psychology.
The result has surpassed my expectations; I cannot think of a better introduction to qualitative methods. I read this book from cover to cover within the first week of receiving it and I had no hesitation at all in adopting this as essential reading for all research methodology modules in our BPS accredited Psychology courses.
It is clear that Braun and Clarke have extensive experience in teaching qualitative methodologies and the clear descriptions and related pedagogical features are perfect for an introduction to this exciting and meaningful approach to research.
The heart-felt acknowledgement for the "students who have taken our research methods classes and taught us how to teach, and write about, qualitative research" illustrate their emphasis on clarity, understanding and accessibility. Furthermore, this is a practical guide - an invaluable resource to support those students who wish to immerse themselves in qualitative methodologies for their final year projects or dissertations. I cannot recommend this text highly enough for students and academics alike.
