Realising Qualitative Research in Higher Education (Cardiff Papers in Qualitative Research)

Qualitative research in broad terms confronts the question of the researcher's involvement in the production of knowledge. However, the method adopted even in highly positivist qualitative work has a history that bears on the research, and it is this aspect that provides the focus for this volume. The editors provide examples of engaging research work, outlining the key research process and examining the links between this and the final report. The collection is divided into three sections, each relating to one of three substantive higher education research areas - student learning, teaching, and management and organization. The contributors represent the core research methodologies (evaluative, interpretive, critical, action and historical) found in qualitative research generally and in the higher education field in particular, and report on critical research undertaken in Africa, Continental Europe, North America and Australia.