The purpose of this book is to share, in rich detail, an understanding of how it feels and what it means to do qualitative research, and to provide support for doctoral students who choose this form of inquiry for their dissertation research. Clear, thorough attention is given to the processes and procedures involved, but, in contrast to texts that emphasize "how to" instruction, the focus here is different. While the first edition centered mainly on issues of structure and format, in the second edition of this popular book the focus changes to include questions, such as: Did you use an action, feminist, critical, collaborative, or arts-based approach? Is collaboration an important topic for you? Technology? What issues emerged during analysis? Interpretation? Were emotional or ethical issues salient? In this second edition, 19 new correspondents, whose reflections are the data source for this book, continue to write freely about their emotional journeys, their explicit concern with ethical issues, and the "so what?" nature of research. A variety of perspectives is offered. These correspondents share with their cohort from the first edition their excitement and the reasoning behind their decision making.

Understanding by finishing : the end is the beginning -- Understanding by beginning : what does a qualitative dissertation look like? -- Understanding at the beginning : selecting and working with a committee and advisor -- Understanding by proposing : preparing and defending -- Supporting understanding : maximizing resources -- Understanding by focusing : ownership, autobiography, ethics -- Understanding by writing : voice, "emotional journey," journals -- Understanding by doing : methodology, analysis, and so forth -- Understanding by finishing : defining "the end" -- Understanding by ending : beginning with endings.