When qualitative research moves from theory to practice, many students are left to work things out on their own. Doing Qualitative Research, Seventh Edition fills that gap. Drawing on decades of teaching and supervision, David Silverman writes as a supervisor in print- guiding students through the real decisions, setbacks, and breakthroughs required to take a qualitative research project from start to finish.

The book focuses on the issues that most often cause projects to stall, from topics that are too broad and poorly chosen methods to ethics hold-ups and uncertainty about analysis. Real student examples show how experienced researchers spot problems, rethink their approach, and get back on track. By bringing analysis and writing in from the start, the book helps students build confidence and keep moving forward.

New to this edition is a clear, balanced discussion of AI in doing data analysis, being original and getting published. The aim is to help students understand when AI may be useful-and when it is not.

This is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking independent qualitative research projects.

David Silverman trained as a sociologist at the London School of Economics and the University of California, Los Angeles. He taught for 32 years at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is interested in conversation and discourse analysis and he has researched medical consultations and HIV-test counselling.

He is the author of Interpreting Qualitative Data (Seventh Edition, 2024) and A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Qualitative Research (Second Edition, 2013). He is also the editor of Qualitative Research (Sixth Edition, 2026) and the Sage series, Introducing Qualitative Methods. In recent years, he has offered short, hands-on workshops in qualitative research for research students and faculty at universities in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Now retired from full-time work, David aims to watch one hundred days of cricket a year. He also enjoys voluntary work in an old people's home where he sings with residents with dementia and strokes.