The article aims to advance the use of qualitative research methods to understand group work. The first part of this article situates the use of qualitative research methods in relationship to group work research. The second part examines recent qualitative group work research using a framework informed by scoping and systematic review methods and the synergies between research challenges and qualitative research potential. The third part describes 4 broad quality criteria for qualitative research, illustrates the criteria using examples drawn from examined studies and describes associated pitfalls related to group work research. Implications for training and research are discussed.