Introduction: this bookQualitative research methodology in psychology is now well established. The authors of the Handbook of Qualitative Methods in Psychology (2008), CarlaWillig and Wendy Stainton Rogers, suggest that this approach has moved from the‘margins to the mainstream in psychology in the UK’ (2008: 8), and many otherresearchers and writers attest to its widespread use elsewhere (e.g. Bryman, 2006;Dicks, Soyinka & Coffey, 2006; Golden-Biddle & Locke, 2007).In this book we will be describing ways to use qualitative methodology inpsychology research. We will outline the single use of four commonly usedmethods – grounded theory, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA),discourse analysis and narrative analysis – and then consider how these can be usedin combination. In each chapter we will be providing a history of the method andcareful consideration of when and how it might be used. We will look at why wemight want to use more than one qualitative method, and what this might tell usabout the topic of inquiry and about the research process. By the end of the bookyou will have insight to the detailed use and application of qualitative researchmethodology, and an understanding of why and how to select a single method orpluralistic approach to your qualitative research.Each chapter in the book provides a history of each method, it aims to put intocontext the way in which the beginnings of a desire by psychology researchersto look beyond objective measurement and rating of causal behaviour led to newways to elicit ‘thick’ description (Geertz, 1973) of human experience. The chapterswill discuss how each qualitative method can be employed singly to examine datato illuminate meanings and insights not available without considering aspects ofthe research process such as the role played by the researcher, the context of thedata elicitation and the uniqueness of the participant perspective. The book willconsider how research questions are developed and how these influence the choiceof method. It will focus on the philosophies and assumptions underlying eachapproach so that as researchers you can make an informed choice about themethodological framework within which you approach your research.