Introduction to Qualitative Research

Description

This volume on Qualitative Research Methodology is a primer designed to help students and those beginning research become familiar with the basic tenets and processes of doing research. Located in the Indian context with known context and local examples it would help researchers learn how to conduct research. It is not a manual or guide for doing research. It is not a comprehensive “know all” volume – but one that has been put together by people who have been engaged in qualitative research – primarily in the social section (education, health). This collection would be a useful guide not only to students starting to do research but to people who may want to add a qualitative dimension to their quantitative work. A unique feature of this volume is that it includes issues of ethics of research and importance of transparency and accountability of the researchers.

Hriday Kant Dewan has spent his life making school education (particularly science, mathematics and languages) child-friendly, concept-focused and research and reflection based. Trained as a particle physicist, he was a founding member of Eklavya Foundation (Madhya Pradesh) and has worked with Vidya Bhawan Society (Rajasthan) and Azim Premji University (Bangalore). He has been working in the space of Teacher Development and Elementary Education for over 40 years and continues to devote his energies for systemic improvement in education, particularly in the public education system. He has contributed to the development of curriculum, materials and programmes for teacher pre-service and in-service capacity building for many states and has also been engaged in research in school education and teacher education.

Vimala Ramachandran has been working on elementary education, girl’s education, women’s empowerment and the intersection between health, nutrition, education and early childhood care and child development. She was involved in the conceptualization of Mahila Samakhya (Education for Women’s Equality) and served as the first National Project Director from 1988-93 in MHRD, GoI. She established ERU Consultants Private Limited in 1998 as a network of researchers and practitioners working on education – focused on qualitative research in the fields of girlds/ women’s education, school education and early childhood care. From 2011 to mid-2015 she was a National Fellow and Professor of Teacher Management and Development in NUEPA. She is now retired and lives in Jaipur. She has been engaged in qualitative research on pre-primary, elementary and secondary education focusing on gender and equality issues, teacher status and motivation and systemic barriers to realizing the equity goals in India.