Barker, C; Pistrang, N; (2021) Choosing a qualitative method: A pluralist, pragmatic perspective. In: Camic, P, (ed.) Qualitative Research in Psychology: Expanding perspectives in methodology and design. (pp. 27-49). American Psychological Association: Washington, DC, USA.

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Abstract

Researchers planning a qualitative study often ask themselves, or ask their advisors or colleagues, this key question: "which qualitative method should author use?" On the surface, it may seem a simple one, but it has all sorts of implications and ramifications. This chapter helps qualitative researchers navigate these sometimes treacherous waters. It explores the implications of pluralism and pragmatism for choosing methods. The chapter starts with an introductory section setting out the conceptual background to the choice of methods. After that, it examines some of the main approaches to qualitative research, which the authors classify into four main families: thematic analysis approaches; narrative approaches; language-based approaches; ethnographic approaches. The final section uses a running example to show how each of these choices might pan out in practice. But first, in the spirit of qualitative research, the authors include a brief reflexivity section setting out their own background leanings.

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