Longitudinal qualitative research : analyzing change through time

Johnny Salda-a outlines the basic elements of longitudinal qualitative data, focusing on micro-levels of change observed within individual cases and groups of participants. He draws upon his primary experience in theater education to examine time and change in longitudinal qualitative studies; contending that 'playwrights and qualitative researchers write for the same purpose: to create a unique, insightful, and engaging text about the human condition.' Offering sixteen specific questions through which researchers may approach the analysis of longitudinal qualitative data, Professor Salda-a presents a text intended as a primer for fellow newcomers to long term inquiry, based on traditional social science methods from traditional qualitative and quantitative paradigms, but enriched by an artist-educator's unconventional perspective. Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Table of Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction: Looking toward the Journey 10 1 Longitudinal Qualitative Studies, Time, and Change 14 2 Longitudinal Qualitative Research Design 28 3 Longitudinal Qualitative Data Analysis 58 4 Framing Questions 80 5 Descriptive Questions 112 6 Analytic and Interpretive Questions 140 Conclusion: Looking Back at the Journey 170 Appendix: Longitudinal Qualitative Data Summary 184 Notes 186 References 188 Index 200 About the Author 212