J. Amos Hatch is Professor of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee and the
editor of Qualitative Research in Early Childhood Settings and coeditor (with Richard Wisniewski) of Life History
and Narrative. He was coeditor (with Richard Wisniewski) of the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in
Education for five years.
Review
"Timely and up-to-date, this is a major new work in this area. Wonderfully written, solid scholarship."
-- Norman K. Denzin, coeditor of Handbook of Qualitative Research, Second Edition and The Qualitative Inquiry
Reader
"An excellent book. It is highly accessible, even though some of the material is extremely sophisticated;
it is comprehensive, and its use of examples gives a very real, practical sense of the issues. The author has taken
advantage of the fact that qualitative research is at a watershed period. He has read everything, and created a
synthesis which others might have attempted, but have not done well, if at all. I predict that this book will become
the standard in the field of education."
-- Yvonna S. Lincoln, coeditor of Handbook of Qualitative Research, Second Edition and The Qualitative Inquiry
Reader
State University of New York Press Web Site, December, 2003
Summary
A step-by-step guide to qualitative research in the field of education.
J. Amos Hatch offers a methods book that speaks directly to novice qualitative researchers in the field of education,
providing a step-by-step guide to the development of a research project. Written in accessible language, the book
emphasizes learning how to do qualitative work. Specific examples from real studies, using real data, and demonstrating
real analyses are provided throughout. The book is designed to guide doctoral candidates through the dissertation
process, from unpacking assumptions and identifying research questions, through project design, data collection,
and analysis, to writing the final draft. Recommendations for writing and publishing qualitative work are included.
Table of Contents
Table Of Contents
Preface 1. Deciding to Do a Qualitative Study
Foundations
Characteristics
Research Paradigms
Kinds of Qualitative Research
Criteria for Deciding to Do a Qualitative Study
2. Designing Qualitative Studies
Design Elements
Human Subjects
Ethics
Criteria for Assessing Design Adequacy
3. Collecting Qualitative Data
Observing
Interviewing
Collecting Unobtrusive Data
Collecting Other Types of Data
Criteria for Assessing Data Collection Adequacy
4. Analyzing Qualitative Data
Doing Qualitative Data Analysis
Typological Analysis
Inductive Analysis
Interpretive Analysis
Political Analysis
Polyvocal Analysis
Computer-Assisted Analysis
Criteria for Assessing Data Analysis Adequacy
5. Reporting Qualitative Research
Writing Processes
Dissertation Issues
Writing Up Findings from Data Analysis
Tips for Publishing Qualitative Research
Criteria for Assessing the Adequacy of Qualitative Reports
Appendix A: Selected Internet Resources
Appendix B: Protocol Excerpt
Appendix C: Research Journal Entry
Appendix D: Teacher Interview Transcript
Appendix E: Master Outline for Dissertation Findings
References
Author Index
Subject Index
