This four-volume work brings together all of the major topics and issues in qualitative research. The articles and book extracts offer a panoramic view of qualitative research, reflect the international and interdisciplinary character of qualitative research, and document the essential issues in qualitative research. Each of the volumes includes an introduction which places the examination of qualitative research issues in the appropriate historical and intellectual context. Volume 1 covers general issues about qualitative research, including epistemological ones. A wide range of case studies - methodological discussions of classical or well-known qualitative studies - are included. Volume 2 covers the different methods with which qualitative research is associated. Volume 3 deals with the analysis and interpretation of qualitative data as well as with the writing up of the results of research. Volume 4 Contains selections relating to a wide range of specific issues in qualitative research.