Overview

This textbook introduces students, researchers, and activists to the practice of qualitative inquiry that contributes to fairness, freedom, and flourishing in community life. The book takes a cyclical approach to research and action by using the metaphor of the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) and the day cycle (dawn, day, dusk, and dark) to organize the content and activities. It lays out the step-by-step process of community-based research projects and guides readers in how to plan projects with diverse partners, generate data while participating in direct action, reflect on experiences and analyze complex data, and share insights with others through various modes of writing and presentation. Specific skills include planning, fieldwork, interviewing, thematic analysis, modeling, writing, and presenting. This innovative book provides tools for readers to conduct qualitative research that generates knowledge that can aid policy change, political mobilization, social movements, and organizing to meet universal human needs and rights. The book is tailored to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in qualitative research methods courses in communication studies, sociology, education, social work, and public health and is also useful for professionals who use inquiry in their occupation, such as program design/evaluation, solidarity/solutions journalism, nonprofit leadership, and community development. Online resources, including worksheets, lecture slides, facilitation tools, and sample assignments, are available at www.routledge.com/9780367567651

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9780367567651

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Reviews

“If you want to create justice and action with your qualitative inquiry, you have found your perfect book! In this engaging field guide, Timothy Huffman provides solid tips, conceptual development, and engaging examples for conducting activist qualitative research. This practical research toolkit is a gift to all those committed to liberation, transformation, and advocacy.” Sarah Tracy, Ph.D., Director of the Hugh Downs School of Communication, Arizona State University, USA “Research in higher education has long been at a standstill. Our students want and need more tools to conduct the work they dream of—the kind of life-changing research that will change the world. What Dr. Huffman offers in this text is a portal to the future. He seamlessly carries us through the seasons of change, growth, and knowledge creation from a place of love, compassion, and a deep commitment to humanity's survival and future thriving.” Amber Johnson, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, Founding Director of the Justice Fleet “Qualitative Inquiry for Social Justice outlines a vision of qualitative research that is both exacting and responsive to the emotionality of the human condition that is so urgent in our times. Tim Huffman systematically offers qualitative research as an activist affect; with a criticality of intention to transform self and society with the intentionality of research in academic environs and the boots-to-the-streets drive of activist intervention, to transform society in a performative act of justice for all.” Bryant Keith Alexander, PhD, Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, Loyola Marymount University, USA “As a qualitative scholar with a research focus on social justice, I have never read a text that marries the two… until now. Tim’s emphasis on the four seasons of the research process adds a focus that no other qualitative texts have. Starting from planning a social justice centered research design in the Spring all the way to resting in the Winter, this text is perfect for developing a holistic researcher with a larger purpose to produce meaningful research for both academia and the community.” Jasmine T. Austin, Ph.D., Texas State University, USA “Beginning with its title—Qualitative Inquiry for Social Justice— Tim's book makes visible ways to bring intelligence and strategy to collective planning. He shares strategies for developing visual models for decision processes and how to facilitated the use of data and inquiry to change practices and policies that lead to outcomes. This book provides tangible tools and tactics that invite others to join him in this crossroads of action and evidence.” Judy Perlman, Consultant “Qualitative inquiry is critical to better understanding the lived experiences of those living with identities that have been historically marginalized and dehumanized. The various methods presented, the careful consideration of context, and thoughtful explanation of implementation illustrate what a process that creates, supports, and sustains social justice! In a time of deep identity divisions and polarization scholars, and our students, will benefit from this thorough examination of practical, applied research methods that not only reveal what is needed to bridge understanding across identity differences but also helps guide us to engage in the collective action of activism that leads to transformation.” Karla Scott, Ph.D., Saint Louis University, USA “If you want to create justice and action with your qualitative inquiry, you have found your perfect book! In this engaging field guide, Timothy Huffman provides solid tips, conceptual development, and engaging examples for conducting activist qualitative research. This practical research toolkit is a gift to all those committed to liberation, transformation, and advocacy.” Sarah Tracy, Ph.D., Director of the Hugh Downs School of Communication, Arizona State University, USA “Research in higher education has long been at a standstill. Our students want and need more tools to conduct the work they dream of—the kind of life-changing research that will change the world. What Dr. Huffman offers in this text is a portal to the future. He seamlessly carries us through the seasons of change, growth, and knowledge creation from a place of love, compassion, and a deep commitment to humanity's survival and future thriving.” Amber Johnson, Ph.D., Executive Director of The Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, Founding Director of the Justice Fleet “Qualitative Inquiry for Social Justice outlines a vision of qualitative research that is both exacting and responsive to the emotionality of the human condition that is so urgent in our times. Tim Huffman systematically offers qualitative research as an activist affect; with a criticality of intention to transform self and society with the intentionality of research in academic environs and the boots-to-the-streets drive of activist intervention, to transform society in a performative act of justice for all.” Bryant Keith Alexander, PhD, Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, Loyola Marymount University, USA “As a qualitative scholar with a research focus on social justice, I have never read a text that marries the two… until now. Tim’s emphasis on the four seasons of the research process adds a focus that no other qualitative texts have. Starting from planning a social justice centered research design in the Spring all the way to resting in the Winter, this text is perfect for developing a holistic researcher with a larger purpose to produce meaningful research for both academia and the community.” Jasmine T. Austin, Ph.D., Texas State University, USA “Beginning with its title—Qualitative Inquiry for Social Justice— Tim's book makes visible ways to bring intelligence and strategy to collective planning. He shares strategies for developing visual models for decision processes and how to facilitated the use of data and inquiry to change practices and policies that lead to outcomes. This book provides tangible tools and tactics that invite others to join him in this crossroads of action and evidence.” Judy Perlman, Consultant “Qualitative inquiry is critical to better understanding the lived experiences of those living with identities that have been historically marginalized and dehumanized. The various methods presented, the careful consideration of context, and thoughtful explanation of implementation illustrate what a process that creates, supports, and sustains social justice! In a time of deep identity divisions and polarization scholars, and our students, will benefit from this thorough examination of practical, applied research methods that not only reveal what is needed to bridge understanding across identity differences but also helps guide us to engage in the collective action of activism that leads to transformation.” Karla Scott, Ph.D., Saint Louis University, USA

Author Information

Tim Huffman is an Associate Professor in communication studies at Saint Louis University, USA.

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