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Doing Qualitative Research
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Doing Qualitative Research

Seventh Edition
  • David Silverman - Visiting Professor at the University of Technology, Sydney and King’s College, London, Emeritus Professor at Goldsmiths’ College, Visiting Professor Emeritus at Leeds University Business School and Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology
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December 2026 | 544 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

When qualitative research moves from theory to practice, many students are left to work things out on their own. Doing Qualitative Research, Seventh Edition fills that gap. Drawing on decades of teaching and supervision, David Silverman writes as a supervisor in print— guiding students through the real decisions, setbacks, and breakthroughs required to take a qualitative research project from start to finish.

The book focuses on the issues that most often cause projects to stall, from topics that are too broad and poorly chosen methods to ethics hold-ups and uncertainty about analysis. Real student examples show how experienced researchers spot problems, rethink their approach, and get back on track. By bringing analysis and writing in from the start, the book helps students build confidence and keep moving forward.

New to this edition is a clear, balanced discussion of AI in doing data analysis, being original and getting published. The aim is to help students understand when AI may be useful—and when it is not.

This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking independent qualitative research projects.


 

 
PART 1: INTRODUCTION
 
Chapter 1: How To Use This Book
 
Chapter 2: What You Can (and Can’t) Do with Qualitative Research
 
Chapter 3: Focusing a Research Project
 
PART 2: STARTING OUT AND PROJECT FOUNDATIONS
 
Chapter 4: Formulating a Research Question
 
Chapter 5: Ethical Research
 
Chapter 6: Research Design
 
Chapter 7: Using Theories
 
Chapter 8: Choosing a Methodology
 
Chapter 9: Writing a Research Proposal
 
PART 3: GETTING SUPPORT
 
Chapter 10: Making Good Use of Your Supervisor
 
Chapter 11: Getting Feedback
 
PART 4: COLLECTING AND ANALYSING DATA
 
Chapter 12: How much data do you need?
 
Chapter 13: Collecting Your Data
 
Chapter 14: Developing Data Analysis
 
Chapter 15: Using Qualitative Data Analysis Software: An Introduction
 
Chapter 16: Quality in Qualitative Research
 
Chapter 17: Effective Qualitative Research
 
PART 5: WRITING UP YOUR RESEARCH
 
Chapter 18: What Counts as ‘Originality’?: From Plagiarism to ChatGPT
 
Chapter 19: Audiences
 
Chapter 20: The First Few Pages
 
Chapter 21: Your Literature Review Chapter
 
Chapter 22: The Methodology Chapter
 
Chapter 23: Writing Your Data Chapters
 
Chapter 24: Your Concluding Chapter
 
PART 6: THE AFTERMATH
 
Chapter 25: Managing an Oral Examination
 
Chapter 26: Getting Published