Analyzing Social Settings: A Guide to Qualitative Observation and Analysis by John  Lofland, David  Snow, Leon  Anderson, Lyn H. Lofland
282 pages, $38.95 list
1-4786-5023-0
978-1-4786-5023-2
eBook availability
Analyzing Social Settings
A Guide to Qualitative Observation and Analysis
Fourth Edition
This book instructs the reader how to do a social science fieldstudy—a research genre often labeled “ethnography,” “qualitative research,” and/or “naturalistic research.” While field researchers across the social sciences may prefer one label over another, their studies are generally alike in featuring direct, qualitative observation of natural situations or settings primarily using the techniques of participant observation and/or intensive interviewing.

High-quality social science fieldstudies are contingent on the successful completion of the interconnected tasks of gathering, focusing, and analyzing data, as well as writing up the results.

The fourth edition of this classic work is a must for social researchers. The authors make learning how to do qualitative observation and analysis clear and engaging. Their book provides an educational and entertaining road map for pursuing high quality fieldstudies in social science research.
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"Analyzing Social Settings is an excellent guide for conducting qualitative field research." --Elijah Anderson, author of Code of the Street and other ethnographic studies
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Aims and Organization of This Guide

Part One: GATHERING DATA
1. Starting Where You Are
2. Evaluating Data Sites
3. Getting In
4. Getting Along
5. Logging Data

Part Two: FOCUSING DATA
6. Thinking Topics
7. Asking Questions
8. Arousing Interest

Part Three: ANALYZING DATA
9. Developing Analysis
10. Writing Analysis