Successful qualitative research: A practical guide for beginners

TLDR

Qualitative research is defined as a distinct paradigm that contrasts with limited qualitative use in positivist contexts, and is situated historically within psychology, emphasizing reflexivity, interactional skill, and critical inquiry as key researcher attributes. The chapter outlines the authors’ perspectives, the book’s structure and pedagogical design, and the companion website that supports learning. The companion website offers an interactive flashcard glossary and self‑test multiple‑choice questions to reinforce learning. Note: Only an extract of the book is available due to publisher policy, accessible via the UWE Bristol Research Repository.

Abstract

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE FULL BOOK TEXT - PUBLISHER POLICY ONLY ALLOWS ACCESS TO AN EXTRACT OF THIS BOOK IN THE UWE BRISTOL RESEARCH REPOSITORY For Chapter 1: This chapter introduces qualitative research to a reader new to the area, and sets the scene for the rest of the book. It clearly specifies what defines qualitative research, and differentiates the use of a whole qualitative paradigm, or Big Q approach, with the more limited use of qualitative data within a more positivist paradigm. It contextualises qualitative research – within psychology – by providing a brief history of the approach, and by locating it within the learning-context of research degrees at many universities, where quantitative approaches tend to predominate. The chapter explores the question of what makes a good qualitative researcher by introducing the concept of a qualitative sensibility, and by outlining skills important in qualitative research, such as reflexivity, interactional ability, and a critical and inquiring mind. The chapter also introduces the authors and their perspectives on qualitative research. Finally, the chapter introduces the overall approach, organisation and structure of the book, and its specific and unique pedagogical features, including the companion website. The chapter is supported with a range of pedagogical features including annotated further reading, and chapter overviews and summaries. The companion website includes an interactive flashcard glossary of key terms for this chapter and self-test multiple choice questions for section 1: Successfully getting started in qualitative research.