Qualitative Forschung: zur Einführung in einen prosperierenden Wissenschaftszweig

Given the great impact of qualitative research on many disciplines and the diversity of methods used by qualitative researchers, this contribution can offer only a brief schematic overview of: 1) principal methodological orientations, 2) selected shared paradigmatic premises (especially the principles of "openness," of "being a stranger," and of "communication") that go beyond disciplinary boundaries, and 3) historical aspects (for German qualitative research, we differentiate four phases: a) re-importation and theoretical foundations, b) practical expansion, c) the technical versus the reflexive turn, and d) consolidation and establishment). The article will focus on qualitative research in Germany, using sociology as an example in which qualitative research has thrived ("qualitative Leitdisziplin"), contrasting this with psychology as an example in which qualitative research remains rather peripheral. This will be followed by an overview of qualitative research from an international perspective. In closing, we will discuss challenges facing instruction in qualitative research in Germany