Book excerpt: Written by qualitative researchers for qualitative researchers, and not presuming extensive computer experience, this user-friendly guide takes a critical look at the wide range of software currently available. The book gives detailed reviews of 24 programs in five major categories: text retrievers, textbase managers, code-and-retrieve programs, code-based theory-builders and conceptual network-builders. In addition, the book provides ratings of over 75 features per program. The authors also offer detailed guidance on the operation of each program, helping the reader to ask key questions about the use of the computer - the nature of the project being undertaken, what time-line analyses are planned and what worksheets are re