This collection of 11 original in-depth accounts of qualitative research and evaluation in developing countries argues that such innovative methods offer considerable advantages over traditional methods. With examples drawn from Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean, each chapter focuses upon a specific method-such as qualitative interviews, fieldwork or document analysis-and considers related theoretical and practical issues. Key issues addressed include the identification of appropriate research questions; access; research ethics; practitioner research; case study evaluation; North-South collaboration and the potential of qualitative research for policy-making and theory. "The book is a stimulating, wide-ranging examination that touches on practical methods in field conditions and that indicates the debates around methodology in an engaging and concrete way." -- Comparative Education Review
"Valuable...very warmly recommended...An excellent text for students undertaking research on developing countries and should...be on the compulsory reading lists of all those courses concerned with comparative and international education." -- International Journal of Educational Development
"An excellent text for studetns undertaking research, in or about education in developing countries and should, therefore, be on the compulsory reading lists of all those courses concerned with comparative and international education. All those with an interest in education in developing countries will find much in this book of interest not least because readers are shown glimpses 'behind the scenes' of finished research publications." -- Qualitative Research in Developing Countries