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Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods
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Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods
Integrating Theory and Practice

Fourth Edition


January 2015 | 832 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Drawing on more than 40 years of experience conducting applied social science research and program evaluation, author Michael Quinn Patton has crafted the most comprehensive and systematic book on qualitative research and evaluation methods, inquiry frameworks, and analysis options available today. Now offering more balance between applied research and evaluation, this Fourth Edition illuminates all aspects of qualitative inquiry through new examples, stories, and cartoons; more than a hundred new summarizing and synthesizing exhibits; and a wide range of new highlight sections/sidebars that elaborate on important and emergent issues. For the first time, full case studies are included to illustrate extended research and evaluation examples. In addition, each chapter features an extended "rumination," written in a voice and style more emphatic and engaging than traditional textbook style, about a core issue of persistent debate and controversy.

 
Part 1. Framing Qualitative Inquiry: Theory Informs Practice, Practice Informs Theory
 
Chapter 1. The Nature, Niche, and Value of Qualitative Inquiry
Module 1. How qualitative inquiry contributes to our understanding of the world

 
Module 2. What makes qualitative data qualitative

 
Module 3. Making methods decisions

 
Module 4. The fruit of qualitative methods: Chapter summary and conclusion

 
 
Chapter 2. Strategic Themes in Qualitative Inquiry
Module 5. Strategic design principles for qualitative inquiry

 
Module 6. Strategic principles guiding data collection and fieldwork

 
Module 7. Strategic principles for qualitative analysis and reporting findings

 
Module 8: Integrating the 12 strategic qualitative principles in practice

 
 
Chapter 3. Variety of Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks: Paradigmatic, Philosophical, and Theoretical Orientations
Module 9. Understanding the Paradigms Debate: Quants versus Quals

 
Module 10. Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry Frameworks

 
Module 11. Ethnography and Autoethnography

 
Module 12. Positivism, Postpositivism, Empiricism and Foundationalist Epistemologies

 
Module 13. Grounded Theory and Realism

 
Module 14 Phenomenology and Heuristic Inquiry

 
Module 15 Social Constructionism, Constructivism, Postmodernism, and Narrative Inquiry

 
Module 16. Ethnomethodology, Semiotics, and Symbolic Interaction, Hermeneutics and Ecological Psychology

 
Module 17 Systems Theory and Complexity Theory

 
Module 18. Pragmatism, Generic Qualitative Inquiry, and Utilization-Focused Evaluation

 
Module 19 Patterns and themes across inquiry frameworks: Chapter summary and conclusions

 
 
Chapter 4. Practical and Actionable Qualitative Applications
Module 20. Practical purposes, concrete questions, and actionable answers: Illuminating and enhancing quality

 
Module 21. Program evaluation applications: Focus on outcomes

 
Module 22 Specialized qualitative evaluation applications

 
Module 23 Evaluating program models and theories of change, and evaluation models especially aligned with qualitative methods

 
Module 24 Interactive and participatory qualitative applications

 
Module 25 Democratic evaluation, indigenous research and evaluation, capacity building, and cultural competence

 
Module 26 Special methodological applications

 
Module 27 A vision of the utility of qualitative methods: Chapter summary and conclusion

 
 
Part 2. Qualitative Designs and Data Collection
 
Chapter 5. Designing Qualitative Studies
Module 28 Design thinking: Questions derive from purpose, design answers questions

 
Module 29 Date Collection Decisions

 
Module 30 Purposeful sampling and case selection: Overview of strategies and options

 
Module 31 Single-significant-case sampling as a design strategy

 
Module 32 Comparison-focused sampling options

 
Module 33 Group characteristics sampling strategies and options

 
Module 34 Concept and theoretical sampling strategies and options

 
Module 35. Instrumental-use multiple-case sampling

 
Module 36 Sequential and emergence-driven sampling strategies and options

 
Module 37 Analytically focused sampling

 
Module 38 Mixed, stratified, and nested purposeful sampling strategies

 
Module 39 Information-rich cases

 
Module 40 Sample size for qualitative designs

 
Module 41 Mixed methods designs

 
Module 42 Qualitative design chapter summary and conclusion: Methods choices and decisions

 
 
Chapter 6. Fieldwork Strategies and Observation Methods
Module 43 The Power of direct observation

 
Module 44. Variations in observational methods

 
Module 45. Variations in duration of observations and site visits: From rapid reconnaissance to longitudinal studies over years

 
Module 46. Variations in observational focus and summary of dimensions along which fieldwork varies

 
Module 47. What to observe: Sensitizing concepts

 
Module 48. Integrating what to observe with how to observe

 
Module 49. Unobtrusive observations and indicators, and documents and archival fieldwork

 
Module 50. Observing oneself: Reflexivity and Creativity, and Review of Fieldwork Dimensions

 
Module 51. Doing Fieldwork: The Data Gathering Process

 
Module 52. Stages of fieldwork: Entry into the field

 
Module 53. Routinization of fieldwork: The dynamics of the second stage

 
Module 54. Bringing fieldwork to a close

 
Module 55. The observer and what is observed: Unity, separation, and reactivity

 
Module 56. Chapter summary and conclusion: Guidelines for fieldwork

 
 
Chapter 7. Qualitative Interviewing
Module 57 The Interview Society: Diversity of applications

 
Module 58 Distinguishing interview approaches and types of interviews

 
Module 59 Question options and skilled question formulation

 
Module 60 Rapport, neutrality, and the interview relationship

 
Module 61 Interviewing groups and cross-cultural interviewing

 
Module 62. Creative modes of qualitative inquiry

 
Module 63. Ethical issues and challenges in qualitative interviewing

 
Module 64. Personal reflections on interviewing, and chapter summary and conclusion

 
 
Part 3. Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting
 
Chapter 8. Qualitative Analysis and Interpretation
Module 65. Setting the Context for Qualitative Analysis: Challenge, Purpose, and Focus

 
Module 66. Thick description and case studies: The bedrock of qualitative analysis

 
Module 67. Qualitative Analysis Approaches: Identifying Patterns and Themes

 
Module 68. The intellectual and operational work of analysis

 
Module 69. Logical and matrix analyses, and synthesizing qualitative studies

 
Module 70. Interpreting findings, determining substantive significance, phenomenological essence, and hermeneutic interpretation

 
Module 71. Causal explanation thorough qualitative analysis

 
Module 72. New analysis directions: Contribution analysis, participatory analysis, and qualitative counterfactuals

 
Module 73. Writing up and reporting findings, including using visuals

 
Module 74. Special analysis and reporting issues: Mixed methods, focused communications, and principles-focused report exemplar.

 
Module 75 Chapter summary and conclusion, plus case study exhibits

 
 
Chapter 9. Enhancing the Quality and Credibility of Qualitative Studies
Module 76. Analytical processes for enhancing credibility: systematically engaging and questioning the data

 
Module 77. Four triangulation processes for enhancing credibility

 
Module 78. Alternative and competing criteria for judging the quality of qualitative inquiries: Part 1, universal criteria, and traditional scientific research versus constructivist criteria

 
Module 79. Alternative and competing criteria, Part 2: artistic, participatory, critical change, systems, pragmatic, and mixed criteria

 
Module 80 Credibility of the inquirer

 
Module 81 Generalizations, Extrapolations, Transferability, Principles, and Lessons learned

 
Module 82 Enhancing the credibility and utility of qualitative inquiry by addressing philosophy of science issues

 

Supplements

Student Study Site
EXCLUSIVE! Access to certain full-text SAGE journal articles that have been carefully selected for each chapter. Each article supports and expands on the concepts presented in the chapter. This feature also provides questions to focus and guide your interpretation. 

"Very thoughtful and thorough coverage of qualitative design and study."

Kari O'Grady Ph.D, Loyola University Maryland

 “The content itself, based in years of thinking, reading, doing, conversing, is a huge strength. Reading the chapters is like sitting at the feet of one of the masters.” 

Kathleen A. Bolland, The University of Alabama

“I can’t emphasize enough the quality, detail, and depth of the presentation of research design and methods… Students and experienced researchers will appreciate the depth of presentation of potential qualitative paradigms, theoretical orientations and frameworks as well as special methodological applications that are often not covered in other qualitative texts.”

Susan S. Manning, University of Denver

“It is refreshing to see a text that engages the multiple philosophical and historical trajectories within a qualitative research tradition while integrating this discussion so well with the practice of research design, fieldwork strategies, and data analysis.”

Michael P. O’Malley, Texas State University

I have used Patton for this course historically; I will continue to use him for this course. I have used previous editions as well.

Adah Ward-Randolph
Education Studies Dept, Ohio University
December 30, 2021

Great book - not currently teaching a course in evaluation - will definitely consider this text when I do next teach such a course.

Dr John Donohue
Psychology, University Of Ottawa
October 27, 2015

Mae’r llyfr yma yn wych, yn enwedig y bennod ar fframweithiau damcaniaethol ac athroniaeth. Rwyf wedi ei argymell i nifer o fyfyrwyr ôl-radd sydd wrthi’n cynllunio traethodau hir - trwy gwrs ‘Yr ymchwilydd ansoddol’ y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (CCC) a hefyd myfyrwyr Bangor (Cymraeg a Saesneg ei hiaith). Rwyf hefyd wedi gofyn i’r llyfrgellydd gwyddorau cymdeithasol archebu un neu ddau o gopïau i’r llyfrgell.

Dr Sara Louise Wheeler
School Of Social Sciences, Bangor University
July 20, 2015

Adopted Creswell 3rd ed (Sage)

Dr Peter Sayer
Bicultural Bilingual Stds Div, University Of Texas
May 29, 2015

Good resource for students looking to develop their qualitative research skills.

Saran Donahoo
Educational Admin Dept, Southern Illinois University
May 12, 2015

Will use as a secondary text in the Qualitative Research Methods course I teach

Dr Carolyn Graff
College Of Nursing, Univ Of Tenn-Hlth Sci Ctr
May 3, 2015

Sample Materials & Chapters

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 9


For instructors

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