Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis argues for engagement with the conceptual underpinnings of five prominent analytical strategies used by qualitative researchers. Melissa Freeman describes the core characteristics of each analytical strategy or mode of thinking in relation to its aim and action and then illustrates each using examples from a range of disciplines. Providing these modes of thinking in one text contributes to a deeper understanding of their distinct theoretical and methodological contributions to research as well as the potential and challenge of combining them. Experienced qualitative researchers, novices, and graduate students from many disciplines will gain new insight from the theory-practice relationship of analysis advanced. This book:

-introduces five dominant modes of thinking in qualitative data analysis: categorical thinking, narrative thinking, dialectical thinking, poetical thinking, and diagrammatical thinking;
-argues for the importance of thinking about qualitative research at the level of the analytic strategies guiding the research;
-uses examples from a range of disciplines to illustrate the strategies in diverse design configurations.

Melissa Freeman is Associate Professor of Qualitative Research Methodologies in the College of Education at The University of Georgia. Her research focuses on philosophical approaches to research, the role of dialogue in the movement of understanding, and the use of alternative elicitation strategies in interviewing and focus groups. She is the co-author of Researching Children’s Experiences (with Sandra Mathison, Guilford Press, 2009) and editor of a special issue of New Directions for Evaluation on Critical Social Theory and Evaluation Practice (2010).