Qualitative Methods for Family Studies and Human Development

by Kerry J. Daly

Overview

"Daly has crafted one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and functional texts in research methods that students, scholars, and practitioners concerned with understanding family and development will immensely appreciate."
—Carla L. Fisher, The Pennsylvania State University


"I love this book! It is thoroughly excellent—accessible and clear. … What an accomplishment: an inviting research methods book written with intelligence and humility—makes you want to dive right into your next research project."
—Katherine R. Allen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

This book is a masterpiece. Kerry Daly has written the finest and most profound volume on qualitative research available in print. From the opening chapter to the last, it is clear that we are in the hands of a master scholar who brings great depth and wisdom to his work. . . . A tour de force by any standard.
—David Dollahite, Brigham Young University

Qualitative Methods for Family Studies and Human Development serves as a step-by-step, interdisciplinary, qualitative methods text for those working in the areas of family studies, human development, family therapy, and family social work. Providing a systematic outline for carrying out qualitative projects from start to finish, author Kerry J. Daly uniquely combines epistemology, theory, and methodology into a comprehensive package illustrated with specific examples from family relations and human development research.

Key Features:

• Outlines different analytic procedures: The most commonly used methodological traditions are covered, including ethnography, interpretive phenomenology, grounded theory methodology, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, and participatory action research.
• Offers examples from both hypothetical and actual research studies: Attention is given to the unique challenges associated with qualitative research on couples and families, ethics procedures, and credibility issues.
• Allows readers to make informed choices within clear guidelines: Balances breadth of topic coverage with sufficient detail to equip students to make informed decisions about methodologies and to be able to design and implement a qualitative research project.
• Cultivates good perceptual skills: Several pedagogical text boxes, tips and guidelines for data collection, examples, and illustrations encourage students to reflect on their own preferences, values, and experiences.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452278988
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/15/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	312
File size:	910 KB

About the Author

Kerry J. Daly (Ph.D., Sociology, McMaster University) is a full professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph.  In over a decade of teaching a graduate course on qualitative methods, he has had students from his own interdisciplinary department as well as students from Psychology, Sociology, Nursing and Nutrition, thus sensitizing him to the many different values and procedures that exist across the varied audiences and disciplines that contribute to family studies.  With Jane Gilgun and Gerald Handel, he co-edited the book "Qualitative Methods in Family Research" (Sage 1992), and he has authored a number of articles focusing on qualitative methodology in journals such as "Qualitative Inquiry," "The Journal of Contemporary Ethnography," "Symbolic Interaction," and "Journal of Marriage&Family."  He co-authored the chapter on qualitative research methods in Leon Kuczynski′s "Handbook of Dynamics in Parent-Child Relations (Sage 2003).  He was recipient of the Anselm Strauss Award for the best qualitative research article in 2001.  He was a member of the Steering Committee for the Qualitative Family Research Network, then Chair for 3 years and served for a period as Editor of the Qualitative Family Research newsletter.  His teaching, research, and professional background combine to offer the perfect combination for undertaking this new text.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Qualitative Research and the Art of Learning to See
Learning to See
The Paradox of Learning to See
Paradox of Control and our Ability to See
Lessons From the Art World: Positioning Ourselves to See Fully
Drawing Informs Research: The Cultivation of Perceptual Skills
Chapter 2: Epistemological Considerations in Qualitative Research
Epistemology
Paradigms
Epistemology and Paradigms: Implications for Doing Qualitative Research
Chapter 3: Paths of Inquiry for Qualitative Research
Deduction
Induction
Abduction
Induction, Deduction and Abduction in Practice: Cycles of Inquiry
Chapter 4: Ontology of the Human Realm: Theoretical Foundations for Qualitative Inquiry
Ontology and the Nature of Human Reality
Ontological Assumptions About Human Development
Ontological Assumptions About Families
Ontology Shapes Inquiry
Chapter 5: Methodology: How Theory Shapes Inquiry
Ethnography and the Study of Culture
Phenomenology: The Study of Conscious Experience
Grounded Theory Methodology
Narrative Inquiry: The Study of Story
Critical Approaches: The Tradition of Feminist Inquiry and the Example of Participatory Action Research
Chapter 6: Methods of Data Collection and Creation
Observation
Interviews
Focus Groups
Chapter 7: Research design: Constructing a Research Proposal
What Kind of Chef Are You?
Level I: Philosophical and Methodological Positioning
Level II: Developing a Research Proposal
Overview of the Research Plan: Practical Considerations
Chapter 8: Positioning the Self: Role Considerations and the Practices of Reflexivity
Dimensions of Reflexive Practice
Why Do We Do Reflexivity?
Reflexivity in Family Research
Reflexivity and Social Positioning
Balancing Vulnerability and Researcher Presence
Chapter 9: Analytical Strategies
What is Analysis in Qualitative Research?
Analysis for What?
Transcription as Part of Analysis
Analytic Approaches in Various Methodologies
The Diamond Approach: A Theory Development Model for Qualitative Data Analysis
Chapter 10: Integrity Practices: Ethics, Credibility and Politics of Conducting Qualitative Research
Ethical Guidelines
Informed Consent
Protecting Participants Through Confidentiality and Anonymity
Accountability
Credibility issues
Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

"Daly has crafted one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and functional texts in research methods that students, scholars, and practitioners concerned with understanding family and development will immensely appreciate. "

Journal of Family Communication - Carla L. Fisher

"Daly has crafted one of the most accessible, comprehensive, and functional texts in research methods that students, scholars, and practitioners concerned with understanding family and development will immensely appreciate. "— Carla L. Fisher

Journal of Family Communication