Marilyn Lichtman's new and engaging book, Qualitative Research in Education, A User's Guide, is the latest text to expand on the merits of qualitative research. Lichtman includes multiple examples of observational, interview and case study approaches, all very useful and based on her extensive teaching experience. Lichtman's book is the most sensibly intelligent book on research since Jacques Barzun's The Modern Researcher, first published in 1957 and now in its 6th edition. -- Donald K. Sharpes
I teach an early childhood education research method course at the University of Memphis, and last semester I used Dr. Marilyn Lichtman's book published in 2006, (Qualitative Research in Education). I cannot tell you how much the students in my graduate class and I appreciated her writing since I am always looking for appropriate books to use for this class (ECED8/7108 Seminar in Early childhood Education: Qualitative Research). Because this book is well-organized and is inclusively written, we did not need to supplement it. I am sharing what my students said about the book:
I began reading the first chapter, started to ask some questions, turned the next page, and there I found the answers to my questions. How cool is that?
I feel the author is talking to me, so it was as if I was taking a class from the author.
It is not boring! That says something.
I like the way the author tries to stretch my thinking by asking questions.
This is one book that I will not sell after graduation.
These are both doctoral and master's level students who are working on their dissertations or master's projects, and they have taken a qualitative research method course before from other departments. However, they were always unsure about how to conduct their research projects and asked me to teach a qualitative method course focusing on early childhood education. I will use this book next semester and am recommending that graduate students purchase this book if they do not have one already. I have recommended this book to my colleagues in different institutions as they are searching for such a book.
We appreciate very much Dr. Lichtman's efforts in writing this book. By disseminating her knowledge and opening up her intimate experiences as a person, as a research/educator, and as a keen observer of life, she has made our lives richer and more manageable. Many students changed their methodology from quantitative to qualitative because of her book. Thank you for publishing it!
Best regards,
Satomi Izumi-Taylor, Professor of Early Childhood Education
Dept. of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership
The University of Memphis
Memphis, TN 38152
-- Satomi Izumi-Taylor
I read this book from a beginner's perspective. Overwhelmed by the literature about qualitative research, the invitation to read and review Lichtman's work was a gift; it offered a starting place to clarify my own understanding of the traditions, influences, and new advances that will impact my own choices as a qualitative researcher. -- Karen Dawson
Lichtman writes in the first person in a casual, approachable and enthusiastic manner; the whole book feels like a conversation between reader and author...Lichtman speaks from years of experience in researching and teaching - acting on some of her advice might be life- or, at least, research-saving for a beginner researcher! -- Elena Papamichael
