Book Reviews
Qualitative Research Methods (2nd edn)
Pranee Liamputtong and Doug Ezzy
ISBN: 0-195517-44-X 2005 410+xiv PB pages South Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Jane Edwards
Centre for Work + Life, University of South Australia
Textbook writers can find themselves in an invidious position; in attempting to offer a kind of introduction to everything, they can end by satisfying no-one. Happily, Liamputtong's and Ezzy's efforts avoid this potential impasse. The book is written primarily with novice researchers in mind and has found the right pitch for this audience. Qualitative Research Methods gives would-be practitioners enough practical instruction to allow them to undertake, analyse and report research. Yet it also provides a sufficient introduction to the epistemological and theoretical bases of qualitative research so readers will know what is distinctive and valuable about this research orientation; they will understand why they are doing what they are doing. Not only do Liamputtong and Ezzy provide a useable foundation for the how and why of research, they consistently pay attention to its ethical and political dimensions. One of the book's most admirable features is the constant elucidation of the ways in which researchers owe an ethical 'duty of care' to the people they research. This ethical commitment is, however, complemented by the authors' emphasis on the richness and enjoyment of doing research.
The book begins with an overview of the main theoretical underpinnings of qualitative research. The discussion is lucid and accompanied by examples illustrating the application and value of qualitative research on health. The only exception is postmodernism. The discussion is not always clear and concludes with an example not drawn from health. This could be taken to suggest this notoriously difficult domain has little to offer the field, a conclusion the authors would not support. Liamputtong and Ezzy largely eschew the issues of reliability and validity, arguing they do not adequately reflect the close relationship between the researcher and his or her 'field'. 'Rigour', they suggest, is a more appropriate criterion because it doesn't assume separation between researcher and researched, while it simultaneously upholds adherence to correct procedures, sound methodology and well-thought out sampling strategies. The practical advice on techniques for conducting rigorous research and on deciding on appropriate sampling strategies is clear and helpful. However, the authors do not subscribe to the 'technicist' premise that appropriate techniques will lead, ipso facto, to rigorous research. Rigorous research must also pay due attention, they say, to the ethical and political frameworks of the lives of people being studied, the audience to which the research report will be directed and the researchers themselves.
The book has chapters on the staples of qualitative research: in-depth interviews, focus groups, unobtrusive methods, ethnography and participatory action research. It also canvasses some less widely used methods, notably memory work, as well as narrative analysis and life history. In each of the chapters, there is thorough discussion of the practicalities of conducting each of these forms of research. For instance, the chapter on in-depth interviews contains good advice on selecting an appropriate interviewer, how to ask questions and how to interact with interviewees. Useful instruction is offered on how to construct a theme list and how to word questions. There is even a discussion of practical issues associated with tape-recording interviews. This high-quality 'how-to' advice is, however, never separated from the theoretical premises shaping the conduct of qualitative research. The pros and cons, strengths and limitations of each research method are thoroughly canvassed and judiciously evaluated. In addition, examples of research using each technique are outlined and analysed, providing solid evidence of the utility of qualitative research methods.
The chapter on 'Researching the vulnerable' epitomises the best qualities of this book. It acknowledges the difficulties of undertaking research with these groups and has sensible suggestions to offset them. Moreover it explores the plethora of ethical demands such research raises. The discussion of respect for and safety of research populations is exemplary. Liamputtong and Ezzy also point out the potential benefits of conducting such research for both the vulnerable populations themselves and for generating nuanced knowledge about issues and groups that tend to be invisible.
The section on analysing qualitative data is refreshing. While offering well-founded advice on rigorous data analysis, it celebrates the complexity and ambiguity that many find so beguiling about qualitative inquiry. The authors outline well-established procedures, techniques and methods for analysing qualitative data while acknowledging that 'qualitative research courts … uncertainty and lack of clarity' (p.258). The chapter provides clear instruction on how to identify units of analysis, on the logic of coding, as well as on particular coding techniques. The authors acknowledge the usefulness of software packages for managing large amounts of data. Thankfully, they simultaneously point out that analysis can only be done by a researcher, not a software package. Notwithstanding their utility, software packages will not automatically benefit all research, caution the authors.
The chapters on writing qualitative research proposals and reports will be especially welcome for many readers. The chapter on formulating proposals provides a lucid discussion of their logic and outlines clear, step-by-step instructions. The advice particularly targets new researchers and will assuage some of the anxiety this task inevitably inspires. The concluding chapter on assembling a qualitative research report likewise offers intelligent, clear advice that will be well-thumbed.
Liamputtong and Ezzy set out to write a practical guide to health-related research for those who are relatively inexperienced in this enterprise, and they have succeeded remarkably well. I will use this book frequently in teaching and supervising under-graduate and honours students in a range of health related disciplines. In addition, I recommend it to health practitioners who want to undertake research but who are nervous about the prospect. Qualitative Research Methods is a useful practical guide, while simultaneously displaying a critical and imaginative intelligence, together with an engaged ethical and political sensibility.
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