With the objective of stimulating discussion of the problems and methodological/epistemological challenges that are posed by qualitative research, in studies of people's administration, the present work reviewed fourteen studies conducted at The Federal University of Santa Catarina within the last three years. Syntheses of the procedures used in the studies will be presented. The resources of data of collection most frequently used were semi-structured individual interview, analysis of documents and observations registered in notebooks. Analysis of content, both thematic and categorial, was the technique that allowed for the organization and interpretation of the information. The studies allowed for the application of considerations from two segments: 1) the planning and collection of data; and 2) the analysis of the data and composition of the research report. Conducting studies in the molds described also demands that we find resources and unchain actions in specific moments so that the purposes are made possible, to take enough and clear evidences, with seriousness in the description and understanding of the researched reality.
Qualitative research; Methodology; Epistemology; People's administration