Research Methods: Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

This is one a of a number of guides developed by the Mississippi State University Libraries' Corporate and Statistical Research Center.  These guides are designed to assist users in locating information both within the MSU Libraries and on the Internet.  

Qualitative research methods are used by a number of fields in both the social sciences and the humanities.  Qualitative research tends to be either based on archival research or utilizes a number of direct observational techniques.  These may include ethnographic studies and case analysis.  The resources included in this guide cover theoretical aspects of qualitative research as well as more applied topics such as conducting field notes and data analysis.  

The resources listed below include both print and Internet resources that you may find assist you in learning more about qualitative research.  A number of database supported by the MSU Libraries may also be of use, depending on the subject.  A complete listing of available databases is available online.

For additional information about the resources listed on this guide, please contact the Corporate and Statistical Research Center.

Related Internet Resources

Qualitative Research Journals

http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR1-4/wark.html

Compiled by Linda Wark and published in the online journal The Qualitative Report, this site includes a listing of journals that have published qualitative research in the past or have indicated a willingness to publish qualitative articles in the future.  The list is was originally published in 1992 but is periodically updated.

 

Qualitative Research Resources on the Internet

http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/qualres.html

Provides access to a listing of Internet resources and web sites dedicated to qualitative research.

QualPage

http://www.qualitativeresearch.uga.edu/QualPage/

A comprehensive site listing Internet resources, related journals, conferences, and call for papers.

 

Electronic Journals

The Qualitative Report

http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/index.html

Published by Nova Southeastern University, this free, online journal is devoted to issues related to qualitative research.  The entire run of the journal (back to 1990) is available online, as is a listing of qualitative research projects, course materials, and other resources of interest to qualitative researchers.

Social Research Update

http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/sru/sru.html

A free, online quarterly journal published by the Department of Sociology at the University of Surrey.  Topics covered include areas of interest to social science researchers, with several issues devoted to qualitative research.

Books and Guides

Print Resources

Unless otherwise indicated, the following materials are available in the Mitchell Memorial Library's circulating collection.  Additional materials may be located by searching the Online Catalog.

Denzin, Yvonne (ed.) Handbook of Qualitative Research.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2000. 
REF H62 .H2455 2000 [Located in the Reference Department]

Holiday, Adrian. Doing and Writing Qualitative Research.  London: Sage, 2002.
H62 .H592 2002

Jenson, Klaus B. (ed.)  Handbook of Media and Communications Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies.  London: Routledge, 2002.
P91.3 .H34 2002

LeCompte, Margaret D. Handbook of Qualitative Research in Education.  San Diego: Academic Press, 1992.
H62 .H2456 1991

Meloy, Judith. Writing the Qualitative Dissertation: Understanding by Doing.  Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum, 2002..
LB2369 .M38 2002

Merriam, Sharan B. Qualitative Research in Practice: Examples for Discussion and Analysis.  San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002.
H62 .M4228 2002

Piantanida, Maria.  The Qualitative Dissertation:  A Guide for Students and Faculty.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 1999..
LB2369 .P48 1999

Schostak, John F.  Understanding, Designing, and Conducting Qualitative Research in Education.  Buckingham: Open University Press, 2002.
LB1028 .S28 2002

Silverman, David.  Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook.  London: Sage, 2000.
H62 .S472 2000

Taylor, George R.  Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Research.  Lantham, MD: University Press of America, 2000.
Q175 .T39 2000

NetLibrary Books

The following titles are available in the MSU Libraries' NetLibrary collection.  NetLibrary is a collection of over 10,000 electronic books.  Access is available either through the Online Catalog or directly to the NetLibrary collection.  Note that access to NetLibrary books is available to (and restricted to) current MSU faculty, staff, and students.

Newman, Isadore. Qualitative-Quantitative Research Methodology: Exploring the Interactive Continuum.  Carbondale, ILL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1998.

Trauth, Eileen M.  Qualitative Research in IS: Issues and Trends.  Hershey, PA: Idea Group, 2001.