Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis

Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis argues for engagement with the conceptual underpinnings of five prominent analytical strategies used by qualitative researchers: Categorical Thinking, Narrative Thinking, Dialectical Thinking, Poetical Thinking, and Diagrammatical Thinking. By presenting such disparate modes of research in the space of a single text, Freeman not only draws attention to the distinct methodological and theoretical contributions of each, she also establishes a platform for choosing among particular research strategies by virtue of their strengths and limitations. Experienced qualitative researchers, novices, and graduate students from many disciplines will gain new insight from the theory-practice relationship of analysis advanced in this text.

Melissa Freeman is Professor of Qualitative Research Methodologies in the College of Education at The University of Georgia.

Contents List of Tables and Figures Preface - Introduction Why Focus on Analysis? Thinking, not Thought Brief Introduction to the Modes of Thinking Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis The Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation - Categorical Thinking Introduction to Categorical Thinking Characteristics of Categorical Thinking Categorical Thinking in Practice Deciding on Categorical Thinking for Analysis - Narrative Thinking Introduction to Narrative Thinking Characteristics of Narrative Thinking Narrative Thinking in Practice Deciding on Narrative Thinking for Analysis - Dialectical Thinking Introduction to Dialectical Thinking Characteristics of Dialectical Thinking Dialectical Thinking in Practice Deciding on Dialectical Thinking for Analysis - Poetical Thinking Introduction to Poetical Thinking Characteristics of Poetical Thinking Poetical Thinking in Practice Deciding on Poetical Thinking for Analysis - Diagrammatical Thinking Introduction to Diagrammatical Thinking Characteristics of Diagrammatical Thinking Diagrammatical Thinking in Practice Deciding on Diagrammatical Thinking for Analysis - Teaching Qualitative Analysis On Diversity On Tradition On Reflexive Dialogical Practice Final Thoughts List of Tables and Figures Table 1.1: Modes of Thinking for Qualitative Data Analysis page xx Table 4.1: Two Approaches to Dialectical Thinking in Practice page xx Figure 1.1: Modes of Thinking in Dynamic Relation page xx Figure 2.1: Connecting Categories to Concepts page xx Figure 3.1: Dimensions of Plot page xx Figure 4.1: Dialectical Friction and Emergence page xx Figure 5.1: Poetics as Infinite Dialogue page xx Figure 6.1: A Phenomenon Becoming page xx