Qualitative Research in Practice: Shadowing, Focus Groups and Qualitative Interviews as Tools for Inquiry

Qualitative Research in Practice is a hands-on guide to three of the most essential qualitative research tools—shadowing, focus groups and qualitative interviews. Offering a clear and practical framework, this book equips researchers with the methodological understanding needed to design, conduct and analyse qualitative research effectively. The book begins with a chapter discussing the qualitative research approach from an epistemological point of view and focusing on the relationship between subjectivities within the cognitive process. The following chapters illustrate three research tools (shadowing, qualitative interviews and focus groups) in which this relationship is realised. Each chapter analyses the origins of the tool, its characteristics and how it is applied. To facilitate learning, practical examples are provided through the research experiences of the author of the book. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate the emotional and interpretative dimensions of field research, ensuring their studies are both methodologically sound and ethically grounded. Designed for social scientists, researchers and students, this book is an essential resource for those looking to refine their qualitative research skills. Whether you are conducting fieldwork for the first time or seeking to enhance your methodological toolkit, this book provides actionable strategies to improve your research practice.