SS3Ud ALISH3AINN N3dO| QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY A Research Guide well-written and seems to be at a level which would be sraspable by most undergraduate and maybe A level students — without neglecting too much the complexities of the use of qualitative techniques ... These characteristics coupled with the fact that each of the authors is an expert in using the particular qualitative techniques they discuss, means that the book can be heartily welcomed. Psychology Teaching Review ‘This book is a collaborative production, based on the experiences of the co-authors in presenting a course in qualitative methods ‘over many years to MSc students. This is not an edited book; the authors have drafted particular chapters, but the team has collectively discussed, reworked and rewritten the text to produce a coherent review and guide to the area. This research guide is designed to be an introductory text to qualitative methods, intended {for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students. As well as furnishing an understanding of the assumptions underlying such research methods, the book is intended to present a practical guide as to how to carry out qualitative investigations, and in addition to provide the basis for a critical evaluation of these methods, The Authors ‘The co-authors are all academics in the Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology at The Manchester Metropolitan University Peter Banister is Head of Department and the other co-authors are senior lecturers in the department. Peter Banisters interests lie in Social Psychology and Criminology, Erica Burman's in Developmental and Educational Psychology and Women's Studies, lan P=“. Sbnormal and Social Psychology, ‘Maye Taylor’ in Cl + gyand Counselling, and Carol Tindall'sin Social! -vunselling and Stress. spn 0-335-19181-9 ‘ ullsap 12009 so Eu aetes ia tora i sao ae Rate east By = E rau 2 QUALITATIVE METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY A RESEARCH GUIDE Peter Banister Erica Burman lan Parker Maye Taylor Carol Tindall22 Ballmer Mai Tw nl enguirie@openup.coa \worll weide woh: waewopenupco.h us 90 Repraned 1995 (ewe), 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 22 Coperight ©The Authors 1994 All ihe serve, Except forthe quotation of short pases for the prpoe {of rcs ad review no pat of this publication may be reproduce sored ta resaesal o fo tasted, in sy Farin oy 3 mechanical photocopying, reconling oF otherwise. Without prior writen Peruvian of the publisher or sence from the Copyright Licensing Ageney Lined. Petals of such licences (for reprographic reprodiction) mer he “fon dhe Copyrighe Licensing Agency Led of 0 Tovtenham Court Real London WIP OLE ‘A catalzue recon ofthis hook is sila foe the British Library {SUN 835 191K 9 (OR) 0.335 191827 (hbk Calin Pulctiny Dag Uaniser. Peer, IAT ‘Qualitative methods im psychology sa nseaah yuide / Peer Baoscer fetal Bom, lucinles tvbliogrophial reserces and inden ISHN 0-33 TIKI (pbk) 2. Peyshaleyy—tRewarch—Methedologs: Lt: BETOS.N35 1994 (07a Types by Gn i Lad Hom Kime Prince and bo it io Great Britain by isles Li, wwe. cao CONTENTS Preface Qualitative research Observation Ethnography Interviewing Personal construct approaches Discourse analysis 7 Action research 8 Feminist research 9 Issues of evaluation 0 10 Report writing Index 7 34 49 2 92. 108 121 142 160 180PREFACE This book is an introductory vext to che area of qualitative research, in- tended for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, Irs emph sis is very much on methods within psychology, and it assumes some basic Knowledge of the disciplines we thus expect the reader te have a pr liminary acquaintance with the approach of psychology and more cu ventional methods, including some familiarity with the philosophy of psychological research, the research process, research methods and quan- titative approaches. Thus the book is nor aimed at introductory psychol- ‘ogy students, but is 3 resource for academics and professionals who use psychological methods in their work “The book is intended to be a main text for those interested in urilzing qualitative research methuds. There has been an increasing demand in recent years for this contrasting approach to conventional psychological research, especially from people who are concerned with the application oF psychology to real-world problems. This book is a resource text for ad- ‘vanced undergraduate/postaradusre research methods courses, as well a3 a response to demands from research fanding councils for increased taught postgraduate input in this ares, Nor anly do we provide an understandings ff the assumptions underlying such research methods, presenting them as both a critique and a complement to quantitative approaches, we also present here a practical guide to how to carry out such research, along ‘with the basis for a critical evaluation of it. Preface v “The reader will Gnd here chaprets thar cover 8 selection of he majar echarques within qualitative methods, wich sections on ‘how co carry i ors iustrations from appropriace research, ideas for possible research projects, worked examples and a erieal analysis of the advancages and Frdvantages of each method. Ie is hoped thar you will be able berter to ange of approaches, their relative drawbacks, advantages, serteasts limitations and appropriateness for a number af research ques- Giame, As well as providing a general overview, the text nets as a bridge 62 Giher literature in the aren, and each chaprer concludes with suggestions for further reading "You will find here chat we draw on perspectives that are affen outside the conventional Anglo-American tradition which has dominated psyche: fogy during the rwentiesh century, but in a pragmatic handbook style, femphasizing the practical use of such perspestives, We antempt 10 pull together a variety of techniques and perspectives nor only fram Briss ancl ‘American perspectives, but also from mare Continental European tradi ‘All the coauthors have carried out research using qualirative methods and are committed £0 this general approach; this hook arises from our exper 4 course on these methods as part of an MSe in Spplied psychology over a number of years. We found hac no one test the hest solution to this problem was 10 four course. Thus whar you read here has oped as we have appreciate a was suitable, so we decided eh write a book ourselves, base een used extensively in reaching, and has been refined and d a result of feedback from our students. Through our teachin been exposed to the many problems experienced by students who are interested int utilizing qualitative research methods, but who have encoun tered only quantitative appronches as part of their underpraduate curricu- um; it is hoped chac what we present here will support 9 Jae emphasis in the buok is laid on the advantages and disadvan rages of depacting from the conventional psychological world of reliance fon what is taken to be empirical objectivity, We want to encourage you, the researcher, 10 go beyond positivism, and co do psychology in a way: that is useful and relevane, A common thread throughout the book is an emphasis on reflexivity, nor only concerning the research process and its furcomes, but also in terms af acknowledging and using your own posi- tion as a researcher. “This is not an edited collection af articles. The five co-authors, all of whom reach on the postgraduace qualitative methods course, were resp fible for the initial drafts of particular chapters: Peter Banister rook par- ticular responsibility for Chaptees 2 and 10, Erica Burman for Chapters 4 tnd 8, lan Parker for Chapters 1 and 6, Maye Taylor for Chaprers 3 and