The chapter "Interpreting Qualitative Data" by David Silverman, published by SAGE Publications, provides an overview of qualitative research methods and their applications. It begins by defining qualitative research and distinguishing it from quantitative research, highlighting the differences in methodology, data collection, and analysis. The chapter emphasizes that the choice between qualitative and quantitative methods should be based on the research question and the nature of the phenomenon being studied. The text discusses the strengths and limitations of both approaches, noting that quantitative research is often valued for its objectivity and statistical rigor, while qualitative research is praised for its depth and contextual understanding. However, it also criticizes the tendency of some qualitative researchers to over的理想化某些现象，忽视了社会现实的复杂性和多面性。 The chapter includes several case studies and examples to illustrate the practical application of these methods, such as the study of ambulance responses, adolescent diet, and police decisions. It also addresses common criticisms of qualitative research, including the issue of reliability and the potential for bias in data interpretation. Overall, the chapter aims to provide a balanced view of qualitative research, acknowledging its value in exploring phenomena that are difficult to study using quantitative methods, while also recognizing the limitations and potential pitfalls of qualitative approaches.The chapter "Interpreting Qualitative Data" by David Silverman, published by SAGE Publications, provides an overview of qualitative research methods and their applications. It begins by defining qualitative research and distinguishing it from quantitative research, highlighting the differences in methodology, data collection, and analysis. The chapter emphasizes that the choice between qualitative and quantitative methods should be based on the research question and the nature of the phenomenon being studied. The text discusses the strengths and limitations of both approaches, noting that quantitative research is often valued for its objectivity and statistical rigor, while qualitative research is praised for its depth and contextual understanding. However, it also criticizes the tendency of some qualitative researchers to over的理想化某些现象，忽视了社会现实的复杂性和多面性。 The chapter includes several case studies and examples to illustrate the practical application of these methods, such as the study of ambulance responses, adolescent diet, and police decisions. It also addresses common criticisms of qualitative research, including the issue of reliability and the potential for bias in data interpretation. Overall, the chapter aims to provide a balanced view of qualitative research, acknowledging its value in exploring phenomena that are difficult to study using quantitative methods, while also recognizing the limitations and potential pitfalls of qualitative approaches.