Qualitative research methods in mental health and psychotherapy : a guide for students and practitioners /

For this collection, Harper (Univ. of East London, UK; coauthor, Deconstructing Psychopathology, 1995) and Thompson (Univ. of Sheffield, UK) gathered essays by authors who are British or who work in Great Britain. North American literature is rarely cited unless a lead author is now located in Britain. Missing are methods well known in North America, such as empirical phenomenology, intuitive inquiry, and the listening method. Nonetheless, together the 17 brief essays present a user-friendly introduction to qualitative research methods, especially (as the title makes clear) those relevant to mental health and psychotherapy. The first seven chapters, which appear under the heading "Getting Started," cover fundamental topics like conducting a literature review; special ethical considerations; asking the right questions; and choosing a research method. Each of the chapters in the middle section addresses a particular method. The last two chapters look at pursuing quality and emerging issues in qualitative research. This volume could be useful for those interested in the social and health sciences, and also for mental-health administrators and board members. Summing Up: Recommended. With reservations. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, professionals. C. T. Fischer Duquesne University