An ethnographic study narrated three tales about a soup kitchen for the homeless and the near-homeless. To provide a cultural, ethnographic analysis, and share fieldwork experiences the study began with realist and confessional tales. These two tales emerged from the initial writing and presenting of the soup kitchen ethnography to qualitative…

A study explored the process of collective identity development and related social-psychological factors among the Arab-Palestinian students in Israeli universities. The purpose was not only to explore the content or structure of collective identity among this national minority, but more importantly, to understand collective identity as a…

Stories about qualitative educational research situations point out moral dilemmas related to the meaning and shape of researcher obligation: questions that go beyond research codes of ethics. A postmodern-hermeneutic reading of the stories suggests three themes: the intersubjective and lived aspect of qualitative research, the irreducibility of…

Reports on an exploratory study of how people see and explain a prominent exhibit (Tornado) at an interactive science museum (the Exploratorium). Data was assembled using a novel, technically mediated activity system (Video Traces). Argues that Video Traces is an effective tool and discusses an expanded Video Traces system. (Author/DKM)

Uses a phenomenographic perspective to interpret and integrate the results of relational research in analyzing the experiences of teaching and learning in higher education. Describes conditions associated with two qualitatively different approaches to teaching that are associated with differences in the quality of student learning. Argues that…

Offers reactions to critiques of a proposed research model: consensual qualitative research (CQR). Clarifies the meaning of consensus, explicates the representativeness of samples, analyzes the limitations and advantages of self-report data, and explores the nature of truth. Explores theory and verification in CQR and compares CQR to other…

Illustrates how concept mapping can benefit qualitative research to clarify relationships between and among various elements through nonstructured interviews. The research value of examining thoughts through visual representations is demonstrated through the context of a qualitative study of relationships between mathematics beliefs and practice…

Reexamines a case originally published in 1977--before it was appreciated that suicide aggregated in the families of adolescents--to illustrate the importance of identification as a suicide-inviting factor. Presents the case and then provides comments from two professionals. (RJM)

This discussion of the role of research in improving systems for people with severe disabilities identifies flaws in current research, including problems of topics, methods, and analyses. Solutions proposed include: (1) linkage of quantitative and qualitative research; (2) democratization of research by including subjects as collaborators; and (3)…

Indiana's Community Systemwide Response Initiative trains teams of extension personnel and juvenile justice in community needs assessment and action planning to address juvenile issues. Interviews and focus groups showed that participants valued the partnerships, which resulted in community action and increased services for youth and families. (SK)

In arts-based research, the mode of inquiry through an art form generates new insights that would not have been revealed through a traditional written format. Three sets of criteria for evaluating arts-based research are presented that privilege the written word. Additional criteria are offered for visual arts-based research. (Contains 22…

This qualitative study examined the college experience of an individual with Down syndrome who audited two academic courses and participated in various nonacademic campus activities. Themes identified included: (1) the meaning of going to college; (2) the development and meaning of college friendships; (3) negotiation of the academic program; and…

A computer program has been developed that analyzes data from interview transcripts, field notes, and other sources without a priori frameworks or the tedious categorizing of passages. The program finds repetitive association of words or ideas that characterize a verbal response corpus. An example of the program's use is given. (SLD)

Proposes an alternative approach to community nursing assessment based on knowledge construction, including assessors' constructions of reality. Notes that qualitative methods such as triangulation allow for multiple viewpoints and evaluation of intangible aspects. (SK)

Discusses key issues which address the distinctive dilemmas and challenges associated with qualitative approaches to evaluating counseling. Investigates such concerns as relationships with research participants, ethics, reflexivity, methodological choice, communicability, perspective, and obviousness. Makes some suggestions regarding the link…