Many children are attending after-school programs for various reasons, such as academic support, recreational play, and social interaction. Accompanied by high parental demands for affordable child-care, after-school program participation has increased significantly. The issue of quality care becomes important as the number of children enrolled in after-school programs increases. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of qualitative techniques used within after-school program research. Research questions will reveal (1) the types of qualitative approaches utilized within after-school program research and (2) the strengths and weaknesses of using these types of qualitative approaches within after-school programs. After surveying these types of qualitative approaches implemented within after-school programs, a series of different qualitative approaches will be conducted at a specific after-school program. The outcomes from this study may be helpful in increasing awareness for qualitative researchers in how to adequately identify, explore, and understand the nature of after-school programs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]