Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research

The Second Edition of Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research provides accessible how-to instruction for social work and other practice-based researchers interested in carrying out rigorous and relevant qualitative research. This comprehensive, expanded version offers a sophisticated introduction to qualitative methods based upon six major approaches: ethnography, grounded theory, case study, narrative, phenomenological, and participatory action research. Similar to the earlier edition, this Second Edition is a highly readable introduction to qualitative research that combines attention to methodological rigor with pragmatic concerns for real-world relevance.

New to the Second Edition


Offers guidelines for writing a qualitative methods proposal
Emphasizes community-based and cross-cultural research
Presents case illustrations of exemplary qualitative studies, with several drawn from the author's qualitative study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health
Provides an expanded discussion of the paradigm debates in qualitative inquiry
Gives detailed instructions on coding and thematic development

Intended Audience
This textbook is designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses such as Introduction to Qualitative Methods, Advance Topics in Qualitative Methods, Field Research, and Qualitative Evaluation in the fields of social work, nursing, education, family and community medicine, public health, psychology, and public administration.