Narrative inquiry refers to a subset of qualitative research design in which stories are used to describe human action. This book contains current ideas in this emerging field of research.

Combining anecdotal accounts, inter-professional experiences, critical debate and practical pointers to being a good observer, this book explores issues surrounding observation in social science-orientated research.

This is an account of how a principal combines the rational and emotional components of leadership to lead the transformation of a school. Most attempts at reform come from the outside, with people wishing to impose a curriculum and benchmarks; this book assumes that schools can transform themselves, but only when those involved in schools (especially principals) develop self-respect and achieve self-actualization. The author believes, and has demonstrated in his colleges, that a sensitive, thoughtful, proactive leadership might yet deliver the quality outcomes that the community desires from...

In recent years, research in the social sciences has been dominated by the debate on the merits of qualitative method versus quantitative methodology. Until recently, the debate appeared to have been won by those promoting the qualitative approach, but then postmodern theory appeared on the scene, challenging all our preconceptions about research method. This book goes one step further than those working at the philosophical level, showing the implications of postmodernism for practice.