The last decade has witnessed considerable growth in the development of qualitative research. Most methodological development has been concerned with data collection. As a consequence, texts, readers and monographs remain relatively silent on the conduct of data analysis, yet this is an area on which most researchers require some guidance.

This collection brings together a range of distinguished contributors who have worked with qualitative data. Among the examples provided are accounts of ethnographers, case study workers, lone researchers, team-based investigators and those who use specialist approaches including discourse analysis.

Together they demonstrate that a range of approaches are involved in qualitative data analysis, and suggest different ways in which qualitative data can be handled to overcome problems with these data.

The book will be essential reading for undergraduates and postgraduates following research courses and conducting empirical studies, as well as for those coming to qualitative research for the first time.

Alan Bryman is Professor of Social Research, Loughborough University, and Robert G. Burgess is Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick.