<div>This unique text provides a comprehensive framework for creating, managing, and interpreting qualitative research studies that yield valid and useful information. Examples of studies from a wide range of disciplines illustrate the strengths, limitations, and applications of the primary qualitative methods: in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, ethnography, content analysis, and case study and narrative research. Following a consistent format, chapters show students and researchers how to implement each method within a paradigm-neutral and flexible Total Quality Framework (TQF) comprising four interrelated components: Credibility, Analyzability, Transparency, and Usefulness. Unlike other texts that relegate quality issues to one or two chapters, detailed discussions of such crucial topics as construct validity, inter-researcher reliability, researcher bias, and verification strategies are featured throughout. The book also addresses applications of the TQF to the writing, review, and evaluation of qualitative research proposals and manuscripts.<BR><br> Pedagogical Features:<BR> *Summary tables that highlight important content, such as the application of a method to vulnerable or hard-to-reach populations.<BR> *Case studies that illustrate TQF standards in practice for each method.<BR> *Guidelines for effective documentation (via thick descriptions) of each type of study.<BR> *End-of-chapter discussion topics, exercises, and suggested further reading and Web resources.<BR> *Chapters open with a preview and close with a bulleted summary of key ideas.<BR> *Extensive glossary.</div>