The third edition of this entry-level textbook on qualitative research is revised and updated with a variety of changes and improvements suggested by peer review and student feedback. It retains its general tone of personal engagement and narrative illustration of key points while providing updated information in areas such as research in culturally diverse populations, ethics in qualitative research and advanced conceptual research framework development. The volume provides an overview of qualitative research theory and practices and discusses topics such as research design and planning, field work, data analysis and findings presentation. Chapters include sidebars, notes and practice exercises.