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This book addresses foundational areas of qualitative writing (such as journal articles and dissertations), aesthetic representations (including poetry and autoethnography), publishing, and reflexivity in representation in one practical and engaging text based on real experiences. Author Maria K.E. Lahman draws on her experiences as a qualitative research professor and writing instructor, and as someone who has published widely in scholarly journals, employing both traditional and more innovative forms of writing. The first part of the book covers writing tips; how to represent data; how to write a qualitative thematic journal article; how to write a qualitative dissertation; and provides guidance on the publication process. The second part encourages the qualitative researcher to move beyond traditional forms of writing and consider how qualitative research can be represented more aesthetically: as poems, autoethnographies, and visually. The book concludes with a chapter on reflexivity in research representations. Throughout, the author provides vivid examples from her own work, and that of graduate students and colleagues.

 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
PART I. WRITING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH ESSENTIALS
 
Chapter 1. Introduction
Literary Framing

 
Path of the Book

 
Features of the Book

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
 
Chapter 2. Why, What, and How We Write
Why Do We Write?

 
What Do We Write?

 
How Do We Write?

 
The Gist: Get on With It

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 3. Start Writing!
Data Represented in Three Ways: An Exemplar

 
Honing the Craft of Writing

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 4. Qualitative Dissertations: The Three Rules
The Dissertation Proposal (or Chapters 1–3)

 
The Dissertation (or Chapters 4 and 5)

 
Politics and Process of the Dissertation

 
Change Is in the Wind

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 5. Writing the Qualitative Journal Article: Of Rice Cakes, Tortillas, Bread, and Butter
Before the Formal Writing

 
The Qualitative Thematic Article: Bread and Butter of Qualitative Research

 
The Methodological Article

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Resources

 
Reflexive Activities

 
 
Chapter 6. Publish and Persevere: The Publication Process
Getting Organized

 
Preparing the Manuscript for Publication

 
Submission

 
Anticipating the Reviews

 
The Review

 
Revise and Resubmit

 
Reject

 
Accept, and Accept With Revisions

 
Production

 
Done, Done, Done! (Not Really): Promoting Publication

 
Get Started Promoting Your Publication

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
PART II. AESTHETIC REPRESENTATIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
 
Chapter 7. Autoethnography: A Kaleidoscope of Knowing
Background of Autoethnography

 
Major Genres of Autoethnography

 
One Way to Create Autoethnography

 
Tensions in Autoethnography

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 8. Poemish Research Representations
Why Poetry?

 
Forms of Research Poetry

 
Ideas for Forging Research Poetry

 
Poetic Tensions

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 9. Visuals in Qualitative Research Representation: In the Blink of an Eye
Visual Inquiry Background

 
Exemplars of Visual Research Representations

 
Representing Visuals

 
Considerations for Visual Representations

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Chapter 10. Reflecting Reflexivity in Research Representations
What Is Reflexivity?

 
Traditional Reflexivity Representations

 
Contemporary Reflexivity: Undergirding Representations

 
The Gist

 
Reflexive Questions

 
Reflexive Activities

 
Resources

 
 
Epilogue
 
Appendices
Appendix A. A Sample Syllabus From a Graduate-Level Qualitative Research Writing Course

 
Appendix B. An Example of a Doctoral Student Representing the Same Data Set in Three Different Ways

 
Appendix C. Reflexive Activities for Novice and Sage Writers

 
Appendix D. Tips for Writing and Presenting a Research Poster

 
Appendix E. Writing Prompts

 
 
References
 
Index

One of the best books I have read in qualitative research. I wish I had this book when I was a doctoral student, or in the early stages of my academic career. Not only is it good for those in doctoral programs, it is appropriate for mentoring those in the early stages of the journey to tenure.

Mark Malisa
University of West Florida

Lahman's text is both a sound guide to the practical elements of qualitative inquiry, as well as a compelling overview of the eclectic, ethical, and engaged landscape of the contemporary field. This book is a true invitation to emerging researchers, calling for them to both create strong work and to dream new practices into being.

Jake Burdick
Purdue University
Key features
  • Includes examples from the author's work, and the work of graduate students and colleagues.
  • Includes tips and guidance on all kinds of qualitative writing and publishing.

For instructors

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