Conducting Qualitative Research on and with College Students

Book excerpt: As the demographics of college students in the United States continue to shift, researchers increasingly design studies that offer insight into students enrolled in higher and postsecondary education institutions. This timely book addresses the challenges in appropriately engaging these students in research and how to develop scholarship featuring college student populations. Featuring tangible examples and strategies, this text breaks down the central tensions and opportunities that exist when designing qualitative studies that center college students and their development, experiences, and success. Chapters cover topics such as the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research, study design, methodological approaches, data methods, issues of positionality, data analysis, trustworthiness, and writing up students’ stories. Scholars and practitioners at all career levels will benefit from the chapters describing key considerations that scholars must make when doing research with college students in the contemporary context. Discussing both traditional as well as more contemporary and critical approaches to qualitative research, this book helps students, faculty, and researchers grapple with key considerations of doing research with and on college students in the contemporary context, as well as with tangible ideas of how to better reach the college students that are enrolling in their institutions.