Each chapter opens with a vignette about a struggling researcher emphasizing that reflecting on your mistakes is an important part of learning. The first chapter introduces qualitative research with a discussion of the history and development of qualitative research, as well as the ways colonization shaped research. The chapters then follow the steps of the qualitative research process, from developing a theoretical framework to addressing ethical concerns, a particularly important chapter given the abuses committed against Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). When students are ready to begin their projects, the book moves to choosing a methodology and constructing good research questions. Only those methods and methodologies that are most compatible with intersectionality are covered in this focused section, including ethnography, narrative inquiry, case study research, and arts-based research, Because students often find data analysis the most challenging part of a study, two chapters cover data analysis in depth. Two final chapters on writing and reflecting on intersectional research close out the process for students. Discussion questions at the end of each chapter help instructors generate dialogue in class or in groups.
Race and gender are such an intricate and integral part of human life they can never be isolated. Introduction to Intersectional Qualitative Research shows the novice researcher how to conduct meaningful research that gives voice to all aspects of the human experience.