Written in an engaging and informative style, Qualitative Methods in Social Work Research invites readers to embark on a journey of discovery to explore new forms of inquiry, including participant observation, intensive interviewing, and the use of documents and archival materials. This new text provides a practical "how-to" approach to learning qualitative methods tailored to the needs of social work students as well as established researchers who want to expand their knowledge of qualitative methodologies. Beginning with a description of the social science origins of the diverse family of qualitative methods, the author takes the reader through the basic stages of qualitative inquiry: choosing a topic and designing the study, entering the field of sampling, data collection, data management and analysis, and writing up the study. Strategies to enhance the rigor of a qualitative study and approaches to multimethod evaluation research are discussed as well. The book contains a number of features to enhance the practice of qualitative methods, including classroom and field exercises, a list of computer software programs for qualitative data analysis, and a recommended reading list of monographs by noted qualitative researchers. Special attention is given to the needs and concerns of the social work researcher, including a discussion of important distinctions between qualitative research and social work practice, the importance of researcher/respondent difference in ethnicity, gender, age, social class, and ethical issues associated with carrying out qualitative research methods. The epilogue offers suggestions for enhancing the inclusion of qualitative methods in social work research education. Though intended for social work students and researchers, this text is also useful for a wide audience of clinicians and professionals interested in the qualitative alternative to research.