Interpreting Qualitative Data

David Silverman trained as a sociologist at the London School of Economics and the University of California, Los Angeles. He taught for 32 years at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is interested in conversation and discourse analysis and he has researched medical consultations and HIV-test counselling.He is the author of Interpreting Qualitative Data (Seventh Edition, 2024) and A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Qualitative Research (Second Edition, 2013). He is also the editor of Qualitative Research (Sixth Edition, 2026) and the Sage series, Introducing Qualitative Methods. In recent years, he has offered short, hands-on workshops in qualitative research for research students and faculty at universities in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.Now retired from full-time work, David aims to watch one hundred days of cricket a year. He also enjoys voluntary work in an old people’s home where he sings with residents with dementia and strokes.

• PART I THEORY AND METHOD IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCHChapter 1: What is Qualitative Research?Chapter 2: Models of Qualitative ResearchChapter 3: Designing a Research ProjectChapter 4: Generalising from Qualitative DataChapter 5: Credible Qualitative ResearchChapter 6: Research EthicsChapter 7: Data AnalysisPART II METHODSChapter 8: InterviewsChapter 9: Focus GroupsChapter 10: EthnographyChapter 11: Documents and Digital DataChapter 12: Talk-in-InteractionChapter 13: Visual DataChapter 14: Mixed MethodsPART III IMPLICATIONSChapter 15: Writing Your ReportChapter 16: The Relevance of Qualitative ResearchChapter 17: The Potential of Qualitative Research: Eight Reminders

There is no better book for teaching qualitative research.  It is also a great start point for researchers considering what might be involved in using different qualitative methods and situating them in a broader context.  For Silverman qualitative research is about quality and rigor and his mission is to improve both.  It is extremely clearly written and free of qualitative jargon; while not shy of theory it shows how it can support design and analysis.  The new edition builds effectively on the platform of the previous editions and sets the standard for writing about qualitative research.