Based on the theoretical work of Lincoln and Guba, this practical text is designed to help new researchers apply the constructivist paradigm. The authors show how these ideas shape the practice of conducting alternative paradigm research. Covering the research process from design, through data-collection analysis and presentation, as well as important issues generally minimized in positivist research texts - ethics, trustworthiness and authenticity - cases from a wide variety of disciplines demonstrate the efficacy of the methods described.