Undertaking qualitative research: Concepts and cases in injury, health and social life

Every year, over 3.5 million people worldwide die as a result of injuries. But how relevant is this statistic - and others like it - to the complex reality of injury? A new approach may help us to understand the situation in more human terms and pave the way to more effective prevention. Taking injury control as his point of departure, Peter Rothe introduces the theory and practice of qualitative research. The book outlines rationale and major orientations, including symbolic interactionism, ethnomethodology, feminist and cybernetic research. It then explores fieldwork: how best to collect, analyze and present data in an ethical manner. Throughout, Rothe highlights the pros and cons of each method, using examples drawn from everyday life and extensive field experience. Undertaking Qualitative Research is a thorough, one-volume resource for students and professionals in the social sciences, injury prevention, health, medicine and nursing. Includes suggested readings, a helpful glossary and appendices. This book is an important contribution to the field of accident and injury research. It is a book for newcomers to qualitative research and as such would be an excellent key text for teaching. The book outlines a range of qualitative research methods and builds this into an appreciation of the theoretical underpinnings that favour one method more than another. Beyond pure methods and theory, the book conveys the realities of planning, undertaking, and finishing a research project.