Reworking Qualitative Data

What is qualitative secondary analysis? How can it be most effectively applied in social research? This timely and accomplished book offers readers a well informed, reliable guide to all aspects of qualitative secondary analysis. The book: · Defines secondary analysis · Distinguishes between quantitative and qualitative secondary analysis · Maps the main types of qualitative secondary analysis · Covers the key ethical and legal issues · Offers a practical guide to effective research · Sets the agenda for future developments in the subject Written by an experienced researcher and teacher with a background in sociology, the book is a comprehensive and invaluable introduction to this growing field of social research.

The history of secondary analysis may have curbed as well as stimulated its use,
since all writers to date have focused on the importance of secondary analysis of
survey data ... the emphasis on survey data neglects other kinds of data,
particularly field data, and hence limits the potential use of secondary analysis.
This research strategy can be applied to almost any qualitative data however
small its amount and whatever the degree of prior analysis. Survey data may
always remain ...