1st Edition

Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

By Melissa Freeman Copyright 2017
    154 Pages
    by Routledge

    154 Pages
    by Routledge

    Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis argues for engagement with the conceptual underpinnings of five prominent analytical strategies used by qualitative researchers: Categorical Thinking, Narrative Thinking, Dialectical Thinking, Poetical Thinking, and Diagrammatical Thinking. By presenting such disparate modes of research in the space of a single text, Freeman not only draws attention to the distinct methodological and theoretical contributions of each, she also establishes a platform for choosing among particular research strategies by virtue of their strengths and limitations. Experienced qualitative researchers, novices, and graduate students from many disciplines will gain new insight from the theory-practice relationship of analysis advanced in this text.

    Contents

    List of Tables and Figures

    Preface

    1. Introduction
    2. Why Focus on Analysis?

      Thinking, not Thought

      Brief Introduction to the Modes of Thinking

      Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

      The Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation

    3. Categorical Thinking
    4. Introduction to Categorical Thinking

      Characteristics of Categorical Thinking

      Categorical Thinking in Practice

      Deciding on Categorical Thinking for Analysis

    5. Narrative Thinking
    6. Introduction to Narrative Thinking

      Characteristics of Narrative Thinking

      Narrative Thinking in Practice

      Deciding on Narrative Thinking for Analysis

    7. Dialectical Thinking
    8. Introduction to Dialectical Thinking

      Characteristics of Dialectical Thinking

      Dialectical Thinking in Practice

      Deciding on Dialectical Thinking for Analysis

    9. Poetical Thinking
    10. Introduction to Poetical Thinking

      Characteristics of Poetical Thinking

      Poetical Thinking in Practice

      Deciding on Poetical Thinking for Analysis

    11. Diagrammatical Thinking
    12. Introduction to Diagrammatical Thinking

      Characteristics of Diagrammatical Thinking

      Diagrammatical Thinking in Practice

      Deciding on Diagrammatical Thinking for Analysis

    13. Teaching Qualitative Analysis

    On Diversity

    On Tradition

    On Reflexive Dialogical Practice

    Final Thoughts

     

    List of Tables and Figures

    Table 1.1: Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis page xx

    Table 4.1: Two Approaches to Dialectical Thinking in Practice page xx

    Figure 1.1: Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation page xx

    Figure 2.1: Connecting Categories to Concepts page xx

    Figure 3.1: Dimensions of Plot page xx

    Figure 4.1: Dialectical Friction and Emergence page xx

    Figure 5.1: Poetics as Infinite Dialogue page xx

    Figure 6.1: A Phenomenon Becoming page xx

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Biography

    Melissa Freeman is Professor of Qualitative Research Methodologies in the College of Education at The University of Georgia.

    "We’ve long needed this book, a book which would take students and scholars alike through the complex process of doing qualitative analysis. Melissa Freeman’s Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis meets these needs. Its creative, comparative focus on forms of thinking, from categorical, to narrative, dialectical, poetical, diagrammatical, opens new windows on how to interpret empirical material." – Norman K. Denzin, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

    "Melissa Freeman has developed a compelling typology for understanding qualitative work... Her work counters the standard classifications which connect methods with a particular methodology or tradition and leads to confusion. Instead, she argues persuasively, and with examples, that for a truly reflexive stance and a critical understanding of research, researchers must engage in "pentimento," or must see again, to understand essences and create innovative possibilities." - Lynn Butler-Kisber, McGill University