Data analysis in Qualitative data Flashcards
What is the purpose of data analysis in qualitative research?
As qualitative data is rich - it needs to be reduced in order to discover the overall message or the data.
How is data analysis different in qualitative research than in quantitative research?
The method to analyse the data is decided during or after data collection. Whereas in quantitative research the method of analysing the data is decided upon before data collection
What does concurrent data analysis mean?
The phrase used when the method of analysing data is decided upon during data collection
What does constant comparative data analysis mean?
(This is the data analysis technique used in Grounded Theory) - whereby hypothesises are developed as the theory is developing and these hypotheses will be used in subsequent interviews.
Should counting be used in qualitative data?
No - because numbers would reduce the data too much and qualitative research’s aim is to produce rich, in-depth data.
Yes - as it encourages the researcher to focus on what is actually in the data, rather than their subjective imagination
What challenges do qualitative researchers face in data analysis that quantitative researchers don’t face?
1) There are no hard rules that should be followed in order to analyse qualitative research.
2) There are no statistical packages available that essentially do the data analysis for you.
3) If qualitative researchers reduce the data too much - then the whole thing can become meaningless.
What are the 2 methods of data analysis in qualitative research?
1) Thematic content analysis
2) Framework analysis
What is thematic content analysis?
1) Going through the transcript and picking out common themes.
2) The themes are then given a code.
3) These codes are put into different categories
The data has been reduced to categories.
What is framework analysis?
Whereby data is arranged into a framework (which has predetermined categories). The framework will either come from pre-existing theories or initial thematic content analysis.
What is the final stage of data analysis?
Inter-relating the different categories in order to formulate an integrated story about the data as a whole.
As inter-relating the different categories is hard - what can help with this?
Data analysis packages - as they help with diagramming.
How do qualitative researchers validate (check over) their data analyses/interpretations of the data?
1) If there are more than 1 researchers working on a project, all of them can analyse the data and then compare their data analyses/interpretations.
2) MEMBER CHECKING: Whereby researchers show the participants their analysis of the data/interpretations - this will give them a chance to change their analysis.
How is qualitative research presented?
In a paper under the title of themes. Normally, presented using quotes and then analysis of these quotes
