Van den Hoonaard, D. (2012). Qualitative Research in Action: A Canadian Primer. Oxford University Press. ISBN-10: 0199009473

Abstract

Qualitative Research in Action: A Canadian Primer (van den Hoonaard, 2012) provides a comprehensive introduction to qualitative research from a social constructivist, symbolic interactionism perspective. Van den Hoonaard references her previous writings and research experiences extensively as she provides context and examples for readers to draw upon while they learn new concepts and methodologies. Qualitative Research in Action is divided into ten chapters, and systematically goes through the process of beginning a new research project. She begins the preface of the text by locating her theoretical approach as being rooted in symbolic interactionism (p. x). The text moves into defining the differences between qualitative and quantitative work, as well as addressing the potential benefits of a mixed methods approach. Van den Hoonaard comes from a sociological perspective and presents Robert Prus’s (2005) ‘generic social processes’, which “reflect researchers’ interest in the emergent nature of human life” (p. 27). Moreover, she positions herself and Qualitative Research in Action as providing a uniquely Canadian perspective on qualitative research while citing Canadian qualitative studies.