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Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design
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Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design
Choosing Among Five Approaches

Fifth Edition


December 2023 | 552 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
In the Fifth Edition of the bestselling text Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, John W. Creswell and Cheryl N. Poth guide researchers in selecting the best option for their studies by exploring, evaluating, and applying five qualitative research approaches: narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study. For each of these qualitative inquiry traditions, the authors explore the philosophical underpinnings, history, defining features, common data procedures, and writing structures. With expanded content reflecting technological developments in the qualitative research process, more inclusivity and diversity in examples, and updated references, the Fifth Edition is an ideal introduction to the theories, strategies, and practices of qualitative research.

Winner of the 2018 Textbook & Academic Authors Association's The McGuffey Longevity Award

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1 • Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design
Rationale for Our Approach to the Book

 
Positioning Ourselves

 
Defining Qualitative Research

 
Selection of the Five Approaches

 
Key Book Readings

 
 
2 • Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks
Situating Philosophy and Interpretive Frameworks Within the Research Process

 
Philosophical Assumptions

 
Interpretive Frameworks

 
The Practice of Using Interpretive Frameworks in Qualitative Research

 
Linking Philosophy and Interpretive Frameworks in Qualitative Research

 
 
3 • Designing a Qualitative Study
When to Use Qualitative Research

 
What a Qualitative Study Requires From Us

 
The Features of a “Good” Qualitative Study

 
The Process of Designing a Qualitative Study

 
Practical Guidance for Qualitative Research Ethics

 
The Design Structures of a Qualitative Research Plan or Proposal

 
 
4 • Five Qualitative Approaches to Inquiry
Deciding Among the Five Approaches

 
Narrative Research

 
Phenomenological Research

 
Grounded Theory Research

 
Ethnographic Research

 
Case Study Research

 
Comparing the Five Approaches

 
 
5 • Five Different Qualitative Studies
A Narrative Study (Chan, 2010; see Appendix A)

 
A Phenomenological Study (Chance, 2022; see Appendix B)

 
A Grounded Theory Study (Trip et al., 2019; see Appendix C)

 
An Ethnographic Study (Mac an Ghaill & Haywood, 2015; see Appendix D)

 
A Case Study (Goodrum et al., 2022; see Appendix E)

 
Differences Among the Approaches

 
 
6 • Introducing and Focusing the Study
Interrelating the Study Problem, Purpose, and Questions Within Research

 
The Research Problem Statement

 
The Purpose Statement

 
The Research Questions

 
Introducing and Focusing Your Study

 
 
7 • Data Collection
The Data Collection Circle

 
Comparing the Five Approaches in Data Collection

 
 
8 • Data Analysis and Representation
Three Analysis Strategies

 
The Data Analysis Spiral

 
How to Use Computer Qualitative Data Analysis Software (QDAS)

 
Analysis Within Approaches to Inquiry

 
Comparing the Five Approaches in Data Analysis

 
 
9 • Writing a Qualitative Study
Ethical Considerations for Writing

 
Several Writing Strategies

 
Overall and Embedded Writing Strategies

 
Comparing Writing Structures Across the Five Approaches

 
 
10 • Standards of Validation and Evaluation
Validation and Reliability in Qualitative Research

 
Evaluation Criteria for Qualitative Research

 
Evaluation Criteria Specific to Each of the Five Approaches

 
Comparing Evaluation Standards Across the Five Approaches

 
 
11 • “Turning the Story” and Conclusion to Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design
Turning the Story Across the Five Approaches

 
Conclusion: Seven Key Takeaways

 

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"Creswell & Poth's text is clear, comprehensive, and compelling. The students loved this text."

Michael Kearns
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario

"After almost 6 years of teaching this class using this book, I have yet to find a student who does not like it. This is unusual in textbooks, and it shows me that the writing is clear, yet at a level of complexity that matches my students' needs. My students consider this a kind of 'formula' book, where they can follow the examples and conduct their own study with some guidance from me. I respect what Dr. Creswell has attempted to do for instructors and students, and I appreciate the approaches he takes (both methodologically and text-wise!)."

Randy Larkins
University of Northern Colorado

"The writing is clear and to the point. The use of jargon is minimal. Focusing on five different types of research designs is a friendly way to introduce this topic to students interested in qualitative research."

Alejandro Morales
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

"The vivid and extended examples of the different approaches to research that is a theme throughout the entire book is a huge strength. Those examples really help learning. In addition, the charts and tables which help the reader make distinctions among the approaches are helpful."

Tessa Milman
University of Southern California

A user friendly updated edition with detailed descriptions of the approaches to qualitative inquiry and research. Very useful for research students involved in qualitative research and more experienced researchers interested in updating their qualitative inquiry skills.

Dr Jose Manuel Reis-Jorge
Escola de Educação, Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências
March 4, 2025

Creswell and Poth provide clear guidelines for qualitative research, the book is an ideal resource for developing the framework for a successful qualitative study and is easy to read.

Dr Susan Gale Hicks
Education Dept, Southeastern University
March 13, 2024