Qualitative communication research methods

This book is the only guide dedicated to qualitative research methods in communication. It introduces readers to every step of the qualitative research process, from developing research topics and questions, through writing a final report. In addition to covering the theories and methods currently used in qualitative communication research, the authors also discuss important trends influencing the future of that research.

• 1 Introduction to Qualitative Communication Research
• Introduction: Working With (and Studying) Cops
• Four Paradigms and (Maybe) a Funeral: A Brief History of Qualitative Communication Research
• Feeling Corporate, Going Global: Two Trends in Qualitative Communication Research
• Looking Closer: The Conduct of Qualitative Research in Communication
• Conclusion
• 2 Theoretical Traditions and Qualitative Communication Research
• Qualitative Research and Communication Theory
• The Phenomenological Tradition
• The Sociocultural Tradition
• The Critical Tradition
• Conclusion
• 3 Design I: Planning Research Projects
• Introduction
• "My City, My Society, and My Life" - Renee's Story
• Sources of Research Ideas
• Moving Toward a Commitment
• Evaluating the Scene
• Conclusion
• 4 Design II: Implementing Research Projects
• Introduction
• Negotiating Access
• Exploratory Methods
• Sampling
• Human Subject Protections
• The Research Proposal
• Conclusion
• Exercises
• 5 Producing Data I: Participating, Observing, and Recording Social Action
• Introduction: Fieldwork, Ethnography, and Participant-Observation
• Successful Participant Observation
• Adapting Roles
• Tactical Observing
• Writing Fieldnotes
• New Media and Participant Observation
• Conclusion
• Exercises
• 6 Producing Data II: Qualitative Interviewing
• Purposes of the Qualitative Interview
• Types of Interviews in Communication Research
• The Practices of Interviewing
• Question Design and Use
• Transcribing Interviews
• Conclusion
• Exercises
• 7 Producing Data III: Analyzing Material Culture and Documents
• Introduction
• Material Culture
• Documents
• Conclusion
• Exercises
• 8 Sense Making: Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Introduction
• Qualitative Data Analysis
• Tools for Analysis
• Interpretation
• Evaluating Interpretations
• Conclusion
• Exercises
• 9 Writing, Authoring, and Publishing
• Introduction: Going Public
• The Crisis of Representation
• After the Fall: Reading and Writing Qualitative Research
• Institutional Contexts of Qualitative Writing
• The Craft of Qualitative Writing: Three Types of Format and Their Related Strategies
• Some Final Thoughts on Writing
• Exercises
• Epilogue
• References
• Name Index
• Subject Index