Why are certain research designs selected? How do researchers use codebooks to analyze participant observation field notes? What are the best ways to use word processing software in the management of qualitative data? Written by gifted researchers, Doing Qualitative Research discusses essential strategies for doing qualitative research. Each chapter establishes the context in which the specific methods should be chosen, offers a step-by-step description of the method, tells how the quality of the method is assessed, and provides interesting true-to-life examples. Two concluding chapters "pull it all together" by describing a completed research study of physician health promotion activities as well as a study utilizing focus groups to determine a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Special topics include an overview of qualitative research methods, data collection approaches, strategies for analysis, and special cases of examination.