Books and book chapters

Guest, G., & Namey, E.E. (Eds.) Public Health Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 2015.

Namey, E. & Trotter II, R.T. Qualitative research methods for public health. In Guest, G. & Namey, E. (Eds.) Public Health Research Methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. 2015.

Guest, G., Namey, E., Mitchell, M. Collecting Qualitative Data: A Field Manual. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 2013.

Guest, G., MacQueen, K.M., Namey, E. Applied Thematic Analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. 2012.

Namey, E., Guest, G., Thairu, L., Johnson, L. Data Reduction Techniques for Large Qualitative Data Sets. In Guest, G & MacQueen, KM, (Eds.) Handbook for Team-based Qualitative Research. Pp. 137-162. Lanham, MD: Altamira. 2007.

Guest, G., Namey, E., MacQueen, K. A Framework for Monitoring Sociobehavioral Research. In Guest, G & MacQueen, KM, (Eds.) Handbook for Team-based Qualitative Research; Pp. 189-204. Lanham, MD: Altamira. 2007.

Mack, N., Woodsong, C., MacQueen, K., Guest, G., Namey, E. Qualitative Research Methods: A Data Collector’s Field Guide. Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC. 2005.


Public Health Research Methods provides a comprehensive foundation for planning, executing, and monitoring public health research of all types. The book goes beyond traditional epidemiologic research designs to cover technology-based approaches emerging in the public health landscape. Written by experts in the field, each chapter includes a description of the research method covered, examples of its application in public health, clear instructions on how to execute the method, and a discussion of emerging issues and future directions. In addition, each chapter addresses the topic in the context of global health and health disparities. Such breadth provides readers with practical tools they can use in the field, as well as a current understanding of conceptual discussions. Illustrated with engaging case studies that enhance understanding of the concepts presented, Public Health Research Methods is a comprehensive, must-have reference ideal for researchers in all sectors—government, academia, and non-profit.

Collecting Qualitative Data: A Field Manual for Applied Research provides a practical, step-by-step guide to collecting and managing qualitative data. The data collection chapters focus on the three most often used forms of qualitative data collection: participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. The book also covers other practical aspects of qualitative field research often neglected in textbooks, including sampling, data management, research ethics, and supplementary data collection activities. Designed as an instructional field manual, this textbook incorporates many checklists and tips for how to use each technique while doing research. The book also includes numerous real-life examples and cases, making it easy for readers to see the broader picture.

After collecting qualitative data from in-depth interviews, focus groups, or field observations, students and researchers often struggle to make sense of it. This step-by-step guide draws on the authors’ many years of experience carrying out qualitative research and conducting trainings on the subject. Their book describes how to analyze qualitative data in a systematic and rigorous way. The authors introduce and outline applied thematic analysis, an inductive approach that draws on established and innovative theme-based techniques suited to the applied research context. Chapters follow the sequence of activities in the analysis process and also include discussions of mixed methods, choosing the most appropriate software, and how to write up and present the results.


“This book presents what all of the books I’ve tried to use in the past have failed to present—how to analyze qualitative data.”—Catherine C. Schifter, Temple University


“This book does a wonderful job of explaining how important thematic analysis is for producing good research, and it uses rich and detailed examples to do it.”—Matthew Hartley, University of Pennsylvania