Naturalistic Inquiry

"An interesting, well written, fascinating critique of positivism. I wish this would be sufficient to put the nails in the coffin of positivism once and for all." -- Ian I. Mitroff "This book provides a clear discussion of the essential elements of positivism and post-positivism. It also provides a useful set of guidelines for conducting research within the framework of naturalism. Lincoln and Guba reveal the chinks in the armor of conventional methodological ideas. Their writing draws on a vast array of examples and provides a new vocabulary for thinking about method." -- Shulamit Reinharz "This book will interest graduate students and educational researchers as well as social scientists struggling with qualitative and quantitative methodologies. A breath of fresh air." -- Choice "Overall, this volume serves as a good introductory text in naturalistic inquiry and field research courses." -- International Journal of Intercultural Relations "The book itself is a good illustration of our inclination towards and our need of more general descriptions...If one wants to inform oneself about the paradigmatic discussion and the development of research methodology within the area of studies of social fields, it is a very interesting book." -- Instructional Science