Conceptualizing Qualitative Inquiry: Mindwork for Fieldwork in Education and the Social SciencesWhat to ask and how to ask it are the basic "problems" of qualitative research. This practical new book provides a means for first-time researchers to address these fundamental concerns and move their ideas through the process of conceptualizing and proposing a field-based qualitative study. Emphasizing the preliminary work-the "mindwork"-that should precede and inform any research project, the author poses the questions a first-time researcher would, and examines the frustrations and anxieties he or she might experience. He does this, first, through an ongoing case study of a real student researcher in her first project, and then by capturing "teachable" moments that focus on thehow andwhy of researchers' efforts. The result? A framework within which readers can learn how to ask informed questions and uncover informative answers.KEY TOPICS Chapter topics cover engaging problem and purpose, establishing a perspective, constructing a conceptual context, forming research questions, deciding about traditions, getting into place for fieldwork, establishing an inquiry's integrity, and writing a proposal. For anyone who needs to conduct research. |
Common terms and phrases
assumptions attention behavior Chapter claim Clarifying conceptual context consider considerations Constructing a conceptual convey Creswell cultural decision discussion distinction Early Head Early Head Start early intervention emphasis engage establish ethical ethnographic example experience of families families who participate feminist field fieldwork focus focused Garman Glesne going grounded theory home visitors ideas identify infant well-being influence informed consent intent interaction interpretation issues LeCompte Maxwell means memos notion observation one's Orienting Concern paradigm participant observer participate in Early particular Patrice Patrice's perspective Peshkin phenomenology play posed position postmodern practical proposal qualitative inquiry qualitative research reflect relationships research aims research purposes research question research tradition response role Rossman & Rallis Rossman and Rallis Schensul Schwandt sense of problem setting significance social specific stance strategies study participants suggest theoretical things Thousand Oaks tions topic types understanding Wolcott