Over the decades, as interest in qualitative research has grown, newcomers ask me for some way to explore the territory, to find out what all the fuss is about, and what the elusive concept means. Most of what I've seen has been too narrow, too opaque, too much aimed at insiders, or too 'Ten Days to a More Qualitative Personality.' Mayan's book is an accessible view of complicated and rich—and interesting—alternative approaches to the problem of humans understanding each other and making the case that they got it right. This is the book I can recommend.”
—Michael Agar, emeritus, University of Maryland
“This clearly written book is an invaluable guide to qualitative research methodology. The key features of interpretive inquiry are addressed in accessible language, from theory, to issues of design, analysis, ethics, and writing. It is a welcome addition to the qualitative inquiry book shelf.”
—Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
“In her book, Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry (2009), Maria J. Mayan has provided a highly readable text. Using examples, tables, charts, plus exercises at the end of each chapter, a student new to the field, or an instructor looking for a useful text will find a good companion in this book. In addition to her thorough teaching, Maria Mayan uses humor, humility, and transparency to convey her deep moral and philosophical commitment to scientific rigor, as well as a deep sensitivity to honoring the stories researchers strive to tell about the human condition.”
—Jacquelyn Browne, The Weekly Qualitative Report
“Mayan in particular builds her text on her experiences with learners and researchers from a wide range of disciplines. She is thus both conscious of the difficulty of grasping a field that is so diverse in its theoretical and methodological positions and its research outcomes but at the same time is trying to highlight the advantages of such diversity, especially in interdisciplinary contexts. The particular strength of Essentials is therefore the emphasis on methodological coherence.”
—Heike Doring, Qualitative Research
“A real strength of Mayan’s book is that she sets out to introduce the principles of qualitative research ‘regardless of discipline’ and in this regard, she is very successful. Reading this book, it is not difficult to see how it will appeal to students on a range of academic courses, but beyond this it is also pitched appropriately for those outside of academia looking for a crash course in qualitative methods. Allied to this, it is refreshing to see an introductory text that does not begin with an overzealous defence of/apology for qualitative methods or a rehearsal of familiar debates about how they differ from quantitative approaches. Mayan gets straight down to business - she introduces what qualitative inquiry entails, deals swiftly with her ‘qualitative annoyances’ (common misperceptions of what it is) and then gets on with it.”
—David Evans, Qualitative Research
“Overall, I found the book to be well-organized, well-written, easy to read with understandable text. As Mayan (2009) aims, the book is an excellent and great book for beginner students.”
—The Qualitative Report
“In Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry, Maria J. Mayan offers a succinct overview of the qualitative paradigm. For professors looking for an introductory text for qualitative research courses or a student new to qualitative inquiry, Mayan’s work is a welcome addition to their bookshelves.” —Daniel C. Allen, The Qualitative Report (April 13, 2015 issue)
