First published in 1991. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Part 1 Grounding. Part 2 Starting: introduction; the beginning; expectations; entering the field as an on-going proposition; what was that question again?; letting go; trusting the process; the support group; the tie that binds; analytic memo about chapter 2. Part 3 Doing: introduction; participant observation; what was that question again?; interviewing; logs; videotaping and audiotaping, on-going data analysis; leaving the field; establishing trustworthiness; support group; the life line; analytic memo about chapter 3. Part 4 Feeling: introduction; facing the fears; emotional connections; self-awareness; making the familiar unfamiliar; making the unfamiliar familiar; is qualitative research for you?; analytic memo about chapter 4. Part 5 Interpreting: the final analysis of data; return to trustworthiness; making the story; analytic memo about chapter 5. Part 6 Reflecting: introduction; learning by doing qualitative research can become a powerful process that is often described in vital metaphors; as qualitative researchers we become aware of ourselves as contingent, transactional, open to change as way of life; the process of qualitative research also become processes of professional growth; qualitative researchers often feel as though they are shouting across a paradigmatic rift; qualitative research is value laden work and ethical concerns are woven through every aspect of it.