2025 SPE Outstanding Book Award Winner 2024 AESA Critics' Choice Award Winner Written by scholars from three generations of qualitative methodologists, Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction situates qualitative research within the history of the field and integrates this history within discussions of specific research designs. This novel approach allows readers to come to know the genealogy of the field and how previous generations of scholars have informed what we know today as qualitative research. The text reflects these more traditional as well as emerging qualitative research approaches, providing a theoretically grounded approach to designing and implementing qualitative research studies. While some introductory research texts focus on the specific methods of qualitative research with little attention to the role of theory, this book forefronts theory in qualitative research. The authors speak to students new to qualitative research with clear discussions of theory and theoretical concepts and how those notions must be considered throughout all aspects of research design, implementation, and representation of findings. Each chapter integrates discussion of theory. In addition, the book highlights the role of ethics in the same way with a chapter at the beginning as well as discussions of ethics threaded throughout each of the design chapters. Qualitative Research Design and Methods is THE introductory textbook for students taking introductory masters and doctoral courses in qualitative research. Instructors in those classes will appreciate the straightforward language and concepts provided by the authors. Perfect for courses such as: Introduction to Qualitative Research and Qualitative Research Design “In this exceptional text, deMarrais, Roulston, and Copple masterfully weave their combined decades of expertise into a solid foundation of qualitative research. Graduate students and other newcomers to qualitative inquiry will appreciate the authors’ inviting, clear, and accessible writing. Readers will learn about various ways of qualitative thinking, ethical reasoning, engaging theoretical frameworks and perspectives, and collecting and analyzing data: each of the necessary skills to embark on their own scholarship. Additionally, readers will find an abundance of activities, resources for further reading, and real-world examples from dissertations and extant literature. It is clear that the authors―who are superstars in the field―have perfected their approach to introducing readers to qualitative inquiry. I highly recommend Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction for anyone who is hoping to learn more about qualitative research!” -- Leia K. Cain, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Evaluation, Statistics, and Methodology, Coordinator, Qualitative Research Methods in Education Graduate Certificate, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Tennessee “deMarrais, Roulston, and Copple have created an accessible, experiential, and enjoyable guide for novice qualitative researchers that not only introduces the aesthetics and pragmatics of creating quality studies, but also inspires readers to produce meaningful works of inquiry with passion. The critical quality differentiating this introductory portal from others is the author’s commitment to explain carefully why qualitative research is more important than ever to understand, question, and change our world. In doing so, the authors skillfully alert beginning researchers to the challenges they will face and the responsibilities they will need to embrace to conduct ethical and effective research.” -- Ronald J. Chenail, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor of Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University “ Qualitative Research Design and Methods: An Introduction (2024) is a beautiful creation from three of our most revered members of the qualitative research community. This book provides exactly the kind of grounding novice qualitative researchers can immediately benefit from―complete with learning objectives for each chapter, engaging examples, and activities to help guide learners through the process of designing and carrying out qualitative inquiry projects.” -- Thalia M. Mulvihill, Ph.D., Professor of Social Foundations of Education and Higher Education, Teachers College, Ball State University “As someone who trains and teaches novice qualitative researchers, I have noted the need for an accessible, comprehensive, and appropriately critical introduction to qualitative methods. Qualitative Research Design and Methods is that book. deMarrais, Roulston, and Copple offer a pedagogical approach throughout, with learning objectives, reading questions, concise charts and infographics, clear explanations that engage with the “why” along with the “how” of qualitative methods, and both historical and interdisciplinary examples―all while emphasizing