Authoritative text
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This is an extremely thorough textbook. I like the fact that it covers theory and practice within a coherent overall conception of qualitative research. in particular, the case studies - which draw in part on the author'sown research projects - balance the more abstract passages and give a real inside view of what it's like to do research (much more than any of the simpler introductions I've read). I like too the suggested activities, which are for the most part very straightforward, and the suggestions for further reading, which are very detailed. Overall, I found this book synthesised a tremendous amount of information and argument and so does a lot of gard work on the reader's behalf.
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A heavy-going awkward book , useful reference only
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This is a core text on one of my research masters courses but we loathe it. Recommended as the best overall in-depth guide to the variety of methods and techniques on the market, I can only say there is a gaping hole for a more readable text. The introductory chapters in particular are inaccessible: Flick is so keen to give a broad overview that I struggled to make sense of anything. It appears he translated the book himself from the German text and the clunky language, poor sentence-structure and multi-hyphenated-made-up-words make you wonder how it passed through any editorial stages.
My lecturer does agree that it is badly written, and has accepted my criticism of the text. He says the earlier editions were actually better. Skim-reading a lot there are some useful chapters later on in the book and this may be one to borrow from the library if you require in depth detail on a particular topic not covered by the more readable introductions to this field. I recommend buying one of them, not this one, though it may look impressive on a bibliography.
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