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Grbich's hook is well written. Her use of clear and precise language makes the text easy to read and understand. The hook contains many accounts of the author's own research as well as practical exampks of other studies which make pomts clearly DefinitIons of qualitatlve prgons are succmct throughout the book. The book does not overemphasise the author's personal views on preferred methods. Her strategy has been to take "an even-handed approach to allow the readers to make their own decisions as to the appropriateness of each approach" (p. vii). The book comprises four parts. Each part CODSlsts of chapters that follow the general order of the research process. Part One focuses on Theory and Design and introduces qualitative research, the historical trends, and the ongoing qualitative versus quantitative debate in the first chapter. The second chapter addresses theories in research and the approaches to the use of theoretical perspectives. The work of theorists such as Marx, Durkheim, Parsons and Foucalt as well as Mead, Goffman, Weber and Habermas are all discussed in relation to today's health researchers. Criticisms of each theorist are also presented in this chapter. Postmodern/poststructuralist and feminist research is also explamed along with Its methodological implications and critiClsms. The chapter may be too heavy for novice researchers, but it is essential for a more advanced understanding of qualitative methodology Chapter Three focuses on Research design issues and looks at Objectivity, Validity and Reliability. Grbich explains that the Issues of "obJectivity", "subjectivity", "validity", "reliability", "generalisability", "sampling", and ethics and accountability, have all generated debate over the past 400 years and have offered the varied opinions on this continuing debate. She goes on to explain that "the questioning of the terms 'objectivity', validity' and 'reliability' has polarised positions between those who have emphaSIsed the importance of rigorous qualitative research and those who regard 'rigour' as inappropriate" (p. 6l). Sampling techniques are discussed and Grbich argues how they have been "de-emphasised" with "the advent of uncertainty, chaos, postmodernism and poststructuralism". The issue of ethics is explored. Grbich emphasises its importance, particularly when working with "vulnerable people and children" as well as when observing "those on the margins of society" (p. 80). Part Two of the book focuses on Techniques of Data Collection which covers interviewing procedures, design, and structures such as person-to-person and person-to-group. Participant observation and researcher roles are explored in detail. This chapter highlights the issues surrounding participant observation and the factors that each researcher must consider, and those that might impact on the data and the setting under ohservation. The advantages of interviewing and participant observation are explained and, as Grbich explains, "dictate when and how each technique or process will be used" (p. 119). Part Three of the book focuses on several methodologies that have been used frequently in health research. Library-based methods are explored and the strengths and weaknesses of personal and impersonal documentation, historical method, and

Book Reviews: 'Qualitative Research in Health: An introduction', 'Handbook of Women's Health: An Evidence-based Approach'