Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th Edition)

By John W. Creswell & Cheryl N. Poth

Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (4th Edition) is one of the most widely adopted guides to planning and conducting qualitative research. Published by SAGE Publications, it explains and compares five major qualitative approaches—narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study.

Written for students, educators, and applied researchers, the book clarifies the philosophical foundations, core procedures, and practical design decisions that differentiate each approach, helping readers select the right tradition for their research questions and context.

What This Book Does

This book equips readers with a clear framework for choosing among qualitative approaches and building strong qualitative study designs—covering study purpose, researcher positioning, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and ethical considerations.

Key Features of the 4th Edition

• Side-by-side comparison of five qualitative approaches
• Step-by-step guidance on designing and conducting qualitative studies
• Practical examples and writing guidance for proposals and reports
• Expanded coverage of ethics across the research process
• Accessible explanations of philosophical underpinnings and methodology

Who Should Use This Book?

• Graduate and doctoral students in social sciences, education, health, and business
• Researchers designing qualitative or mixed methods studies
• Instructors teaching qualitative research methods courses
• Professionals conducting applied qualitative research and evaluation

Why It’s Essential

• Gold-standard reference for qualitative research design selection
• Makes complex qualitative traditions easy to compare and apply
• Strengthens study rigor, transparency, and defensibility
• Widely adopted in graduate programs worldwide

A definitive guide to choosing and executing the right qualitative approach.
Order today from BooksGoat and strengthen your qualitative research design skills.

Product Details

• ISBN-13: 9781506330204
• Edition: 4th
• Authors: John W. Creswell; Cheryl N. Poth
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Publication Year: 2017
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 488
• Condition: New
• Availability: In Stock
• Price: $— (Free Shipping)

Table of Contents (Highlights)

• Understanding Qualitative Inquiry
• Philosophical Assumptions and Interpretive Frameworks
• Narrative Research
• Phenomenological Research
• Grounded Theory Research
• Ethnographic Research
• Case Study Research
• Writing and Evaluating Qualitative Studies

FAQs

• Does this book compare multiple qualitative approaches?
  Yes. It explains and compares five major approaches: narrative, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and case study.
• Is it suitable for graduate-level coursework?
  Yes. It is widely adopted in MA, MEd, MSW, PhD, and professional doctoral research methods programs.
• Is it useful for writing a thesis or dissertation proposal?
  Yes. It provides practical guidance on selecting an approach and designing a defensible qualitative study.