Includes bibliographical references and index.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsChapter 1. Introduction to Qualitative Communication Research Rounding the (Paradigm) Bases: A Brief History of Qualitative Communication Research Covering New Material(ism), Going Big: Two Trends in Qualitative Communication Research Conclusion ExercisesChapter 2. The Diversity of Qualitative Research in Communication Subfields Baker's Dozen: Thirteen Subfields, Thirteen Stories of Qualitative Communication Research Conclusion ExercisesChapter 3. Theoretical Traditions and Qualitative Communication Research Introduction: "What Would You Like on Your Sandwich?" The Phenomenological Tradition The Sociocultural Tradition Critical Theories Conclusion ExercisesChapter 4. Design I: Planning Research Projects Introduction "My City, My Society, and My Life": Renee's Story Sources of Research Ideas Evaluating the Scene Conclusion ExercisesChapter 5. Design II: Implementing Research Projects Introduction Negotiating Access Exploratory and Mixed Methods Sampling Human Subject Protections The Research Proposal Conclusion ExercisesChapter 6. Producing Data I: Participation, Observation, and Recording Communication Introduction: Welcome to Fieldwork Ethnography and Participant Observation Successful Participant Observation Adapting Roles Tactical Observing Writing Fieldnotes Conclusion ExercisesChapter 7. Producing Data II: Qualitative Interviewing Introduction Purposes of the Qualitative Interview Types of Interviews in Communication Research Interviewing Practices Question Design and Use Transcribing Interviews Conclusion ExercisesChapter 8. Producing Data III: Studying Materiality Introduction Material Culture Documents Conclusion ExercisesChapter 9. Sensemaking I: Analyzing, Coding, and Managing Data Introduction Qualitative Data Analysis: An Overview In-Process Writing Categories and Codes Grounded Theory Coding Examples Leaving the Field Tools for Analysis Conclusion ExercisesChapter 10. Sensemaking II: Creating, Evaluating, and Enhancing Interpretations of Data Introduction Creating Interpretations Evaluating Interpretations Enhancing Interpretations Conclusion ExercisesChapter 11. Writing, Authoring, and Publishing Introduction: Going Public The Crisis of Representation After the Fall: Reading and Writing Qualitative Research Institutional Contexts of Qualitative Writing The Craft of Qualitative Writing: Three Types of Formats and Their Related Strategies Some Final Thoughts on Writing ExercisesEpilogueReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index

Qualitative Communication Research Methods, Fourth Edition introduces readers to qualitative research in speech and mass communication, providing numerous examples of work in the field to illustrate how studies are designed, carried out, written, evaluated, and related to theory.