In this book scholars address critical issues in qualitative inquiry. For each issue two papers are presented, followed by a commentary and usually a response from one of the paper presenters. Thus, this volume provides a picture of the current debate as it unfolds among some of the nation's leading educational scholars. An introduction by editors Eisner and Peshkin traces the development of the contemporary interest in qualitative inquiry from the period when such work was considered problematic. Now the commitment to qualitative research by a host of distinguished scholars testifies to its "rooting in American academic life". As the editors emphasize, this book's exploration of issues in qualitative inquiry is intended not to offer "the last word" but "to extend the dialogue on matters of consequence to those who are committed not only to qualitative research but also to research of quality."