Book excerpt: How do education researchers navigate the qualitative research process? How do they manage and negotiate myriad decision points at which things can take an unexpected – and sometimes problematic – turn? Whilst these questions are relevant for any research process, the specific issues qualitative researchers face can have impactful repercussions, that if managed adeptly, can lead to successful and even new research opportunities. Navigating Challenges in Qualitative Educational Research includes narratives that provide real world experiences and accounts of how researchers navigated problematic situations, as well as their considerations in doing so. These contributions give students and researchers a chance to understand the possibilities of research challenges and better prepare for these eventualities and how to deal with them. Providing educative windows into the challenges and missteps even seasoned researchers face along the way, this book is an invaluable resource for graduate students and early career qualitative researchers, particularly those who are interested in education.