This textbook aims to familiarize students and other interested individuals with the various research methods and approaches, as well as the key application areas of qualitative political research. It provides a comprehensive introduction to the foundations and traditions of qualitative social research. The most important methods of data collection and data analysis are presented and illustrated with particularly interesting case studies and examples from political science and political sociology. In addition to qualitative methods, specific research designs are also discussed and critically explained. A major focus is on the examination of case study designs. The presentation of case study designs provides readers with important information about suitable strategies for case selection and the research process.