Includes index.

Introduction -- Part I. The positivist paradigm -- Engagement : entrée to the research setting -- Assessment : development of understanding of the research focus -- Planning : rationales for carrying out the research project -- Implementation : gathering the data -- Evaluation : developing an understanding of the data and its meaning -- Termination and follow up : reporting on findings and exiting the research setting -- Part II. Post positivism -- Assessment and engagement : development of understanding of the research focus and entrée to the research setting -- Planning, implementation, evaluation : rationales for gathering data, data gathering, and developing an understanding of the data and its meaning -- Termination and follow up : reporting on findings, and exiting the research setting, and communication and distribution of findings -- Part III. Critical theory -- Assessment, engagement, and planning : development of understanding of the research focus, entrée to the research setting, rationales for carrying out the research -- Implementation : gathering data -- Evaluation : developing an understanding of the data and its meaning -- Termination and follow up : reporting on findings, exiting the research setting, and communication and distribution of research findings -- Part IV. Constructivism -- Engagement, assessment, and planning : entrée to the research setting, development of understanding of the researcher focus, rationales for gathering data -- Implementation and evaluation : gathering the data and developing an understanding of the data and its meaning -- Termination and follow up : reporting on findings, exiting the research setting, and communication and distribution of findings -- Part V. Cross-cutting themes: ethics, diversity, and technology -- The ethics and politics of research -- The researcher's responsibility to diversity -- The function of technology at each step of the way.