Qualitative research in psychology: expanding perspectives in methodology and design

Qualitative methodologies and the different paradigms which guide them can be seen as both an alternative and complementary approach to quantification and positivism in social, personality, developmental, health, clinical, counselling, community and school psychology. Qualitative methodology seen as an alternative approach seeks to answer questions that cannot be answered through quantification, random sampling, probability testing and other measures, which seek to control the environment of the participant. Viewed as a complementary approach to research, qualitative methodology can be utilized alongside quantitative methods, bringing a new depth and richness to data analysis. The variety of innovative techniques and theoretical perspectives offered in this volume should challenge readers to think about and expand on their understanding of qualitative research and its continually emerging applications.