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Continue reading →: Qualitative Sampling: a matter of quality not quantity
New blog post on the SRA Blog. Please check it out and let me know what you think (but be kind). Karen In this blog, Karen O’Reilly, author of Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone and SRA trainer, explains why qualitative samples should be evaluated for their quality not size. She…
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Continue reading →: Think outside of the box: choose your method to suit your problem
In Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone: An Essential Toolkit I provide a toolkit of methods for readers to draw from as they feel appropriate. This toolkit approach to methods requires: 1) careful consideration of what methods are available 2) understanding what each one offers (and doesn’t offer) 3) thinking about how each…
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Continue reading →: Let it Go: It’s ok to change your mind during your research
New blog post on Transforming Society https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2025/03/21/let-it-go-changing-your-mind-as-you-do-research-is-both-ethical-and-practical
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Continue reading →: What is Interpretive Analysis?
In my book, Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone: An Essential Toolkit (25 March 2025), I introduce the new term ‘Interpretive Analysis’. This is why…. First, all qualitative research is interpretivist, in the broadest sense. Interpretivist social science works to understand people’s experiences and feelings, and the meanings behind them, to help them…
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Continue reading →: How can qualitative research be objective?
My book Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone: An Essential Toolkit is to be published by Policy Press in March. In it, I argue that: too rigid an adherence to objectivity can be impractical and unethical, and can fail to achieve shared understandings of other world views. If objectivity means not being biased, prejudiced or…
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Continue reading →: Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone?
My book Qualitative Research Methods for Everyone: An Essential Toolkit is to be published by Policy Press in March. I will post news and insights here from time to time. There will also be a podcast (news to follow). Read some reviews: “This is a timely and necessary contribution. An essential read…
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Continue reading →: Practice theory, structuration and explanation
For much of my career, I have been at pains to point out how (not only that) structure and agency interact over time in the shaping of social life. My focus has been on migration, mainly British emigration. But I have always argued, as an ethnographer, that migrants’ lives in all their richness…
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Continue reading →: Writing a book? Read the publisher’s guidelines first!
My book qualitative research methods for everyone is going to be published by Policy press on 25 March 2025. I’m so excited to get this one out there. I will be bombarding everyone I know so watch out for it. We are also recording some podcasts to accompany the book…
Hello,
I’m Karen
Welcome to my site where I will share updates about my work and insights and tips about qualitative research methods. Click on my name at the top of the page to see all my blog posts. I have over 30 years experience teaching and using qualitative methods so I have lots to share with you. Please leave comments so I know you are there.
Karen O'Reilly 