"The authors take a 'user friendly' systematic approach to qualitative research, something that has long been missing in the field. I consider this to be a groundbreaking work, one that will hit home with students and faculty alike."
-Justin M. Laird, SUNY Brockport

"This book does an excellent job of integrating design, methods, and analysis. . . . The real beauty of the book is that it overturns many of the age-old assumptions about how 'good' research should be done. . . . The authors' pleasant and refreshing style, coupled with subtle irreverence for outmoded or constraining paradigms of inquiry, makes for highly enjoyable reading."
-Roger Rennekamp, University of Kentucky

Interactive Qualitative Analysis: A Systems Method for Qualitative Research aims to help students unscramble the mysteries of qualitative data collection, coding, and analysis by showing how to use a systematic, qualitative technique: interactive qualitative analysis. The authors synthesize ideas from grounded theory, path and factor analysis, quality management theory, Foucauldian concepts of power and knowledge, and systems theory. A dialectical revision of Guba and Lincoln's theory of rigor is offered which, combined with systems theory, offers new insights into the meaning of reliability and validity in qualitative research.

Unlike many theoretical works, Interactive Qualitative Analysis develops the theory into a complete and transparent set of protocols for research design, observation, analysis, and interpretation. The construction, interpretation, and comparison of recursive systems of meaning, or mindmaps, is articulated in detail. The book is organized so that those not interested in theory can skip to the applied chapters. Case studies illustrate each stage of the research process with an emphasis on interpretation.

The combination of theory and practice perfectly suits the book for advanced qualitative research courses across the social sciences, especially those that address epistemology. Professional researchers and evaluators will also find this an invaluable guide to qualitative analysis.

Key Features

* Advice boxes alert readers to potential pitfalls in qualitative research, and offer the appropriate steps to take in order to avoid such issues
* Sidebars provide clear and concise snapshots of the theoretical basis for research decisions
* Interactive CD contains sample data and exercises to provide students with effective practice as well as reinforce and clarify principles explained in the book
* Provides a "road map" to using interactive qualitative inquiry in dissertation writing

About the Author
Dr. Northcutt teaches courses in quantitative and qualitative research methods and serves as research advisor on many CCLP dissertation committees. In addition, he serves as Technical Advisor to the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) Project. After conducting a series of national research and development projects in adult functional literacy, for which he was the U.S. nominee for the UNESCO world literacy award, Northcutt was named Director of Research for the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory. He then went to Austin Community College, where he taught math statistics and computer science while serving as director of the college's administrative computing system and as Director of Analysis for ACC's Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Reviews
"The authors take a 'user friendly' systematic approach to qualitative research, something that has long been missing in the field. I consider this to be a groundbreaking work, one that will hit home with students and faculty alike." -- Justin M. Laird
"This book does an excellent job of integrating design, methods, and analysis. . . . The real beauty of the book is that it overturns many of the age-old assumptions about how 'good' research should be done. . . . The authors' pleasant and refreshing style, coupled with subtle irreverence for outmoded or constraining paradigms of inquiry, makes for highly enjoyable reading." -- Roger Rennekamp



Book Information
ISBN 9780761928348
Author Norvell Northcutt
Format Paperback
Page Count 472
Imprint SAGE Publications Inc
Publisher SAGE Publications Inc
Weight(grams) 850g