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Qualitative Data Analysis
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Qualitative Data Analysis
Key Approaches

Second Edition
Edited by:


November 2026 | 336 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Find direction in your qualitative research. This book charts a path through nine common methods of analysis, empowering students to make good decisions about which approach is right for their project.

Each chapter covers key debates and developments, explores worked examples with step-by-step guidance, and helps students put their learning into practice with ‘do it yourself’ exercises.

Written by a multi-disciplinary team, this second edition includes:

  • Two new chapters, on Positioning Theory and using Generative AI and Large Language Models in qualitative analysis.
  • New guidance on research design considerations relevant to each approach.
  • Case studies from sociology, health, education and beyond that bring analysis to life.

Building understanding and inspiring creativity, this book is an ideal companion for undergraduate or postgraduate students setting out on their first qualitative research journey.


Peter A.J. Stevens
Chapter 1: Introduction: Walking On and Off the Beaten Track
Stijn Joye and Pieter Maeseele
Chapter 2: Critical Discourse Analysis: The Articulation of Power and Ideology in Texts
Dimitri Mortelmans and Dries Van Gasse
Chapter 3: Generative AI (LLMs) and Qualitative Data Analysis
Peter A.J. Stevens and Lore Van Praag
Chapter 4: Grounded Theory: Key Principles and Two Different Approaches
Peter A.J. Stevens
Chapter 5: Narrative Analysis: Analysing ‘Small Stories’ in Social Sciences
Melissa Ceuterick
Chapter 6: Positioning Theory: A Social Constructionist Approach to Discourse Analysis
Ferdi De Ville, Niels Gheyle and Yf Reykers
Chapter 7: Process Tracing: Making Single Case Studies Transparent and Convincing
Tim Haesebrouck
Chapter 8: Qualitative Comparative Analysis: A Qualitative Method for Uncovering Complex Causal Relations
Charlotte Maene
Chapter 9: Qualitative Content Analysis: A Practical Introduction
Frederik Dhaenens and Sofie Van Bauwel
Chapter 10: Textual Analysis: A Practical Introduction to Studying Audiovisual Texts in Media and Cultural Studies
Peter A.J. Stevens and Davide Dusi
Chapter 11: Thematic Analysis: Identifying or Developing Patterns in Data
Peter A.J. Stevens
Chapter 12: Conclusions: Comparing Destinations and Road Maps

This book is to be applauded. Not only does it introduce students to different forms of qualitative analysis, it also helps them choose amongst these and put them into practice. This is all too rare. 

Martyn Hammersley
Emeritus Professor of Educational and Social Research, The Open University, UK