Lecture 4 - Analysing Qualitative Data Flashcards
Basis of inductive approach?
Exploring data without a predetermined theoretical framework, but develop the theory and analysis from the data
- theory derived from the context of the situation explored
Basis of deductive approach?
- Use of an existing theory to formulate research question and direct the analysis
- context explored and further refined/tested
What is the sequence of inductive reasoning?
Observation -> pattern -> tentative hypothesis -> theory
What is the sequence of deductive reasoning?
Theory -> hypothesis -> observation -> confirmation
Which method of collection/analysis will be applied if a coding system criteria is set up
Deductively analysed
What are the 4 methods of undertaking data analysis?
- inductive and deductive analytical procedures
- transcription of interviews and coding
- identification of key themes
- comparative analysis
What are the 3 key stages of qualitative analysis?
1 - data is reduced and organised (coding key process)
2 - data display (conclusions drawn from mass of data)
3 - conclusion drawing / verifications
Provide some examples of Codes (descriptive)??
- situation codes, process codes, activity and event codes,methods codes, relationship codes, perspectives held by subjects
Explain some parameters of codes
- codes should derive from the data retrospectively
- a code can be a word or abbreviation sufficiently close to that which it is describing for the researcher to understand it at a glance
What is a ‘theme’ in reference to coding?
- A theme is a large unit which different codes fall under, a theme can be a concept, idea, process or group of people
- themes can be at different levels of specificity and generality with some being general and overarching and others being less
- theme = category/variable
What is a “bin”?
Each code is effectively a theme/category ( a bin) into which a piece of data is placed
- this is the first stage of providing some form of logical structure to the data
What is ‘bulk’ in reference to coding?
Some codes can ‘flourish”, or have too many segments (words, sentences) get the same code, resulting in ‘bulk’ (example of axial coding here when categories do expand).
What 4 things should codes be?
- should be valid
- should accurately reflect what is being researched
- should be mutually exclusive (no overlap)
- should be exhaustive meaning all relevant data fits into a code
What are the 5 stages of coding data??
1 - transcribing verbatim the interview recording
2 - multiple readings of the raw data
3 - coding and simultaneous memos are recorded
4 - axial coding
5 - inductive/deductive analytical procedures
What is axial coding?
The process of relating codes (themes/categories/concepts) to each other, via a combination of inductive/deductive thinking which leads to the development of further codes/categories
Briefly describe stage 1 of coding data - transcription?
- brings researcher close to the data
- information included on participants demographic profile and code names
- each line in transcript is given a unique number, so that parts of the data can be identified and located precisely and quickly
- researcher must do this as allows for development of themes/codes
Describe state 2 of coding data (multiple readings)??
Re-reading allows researcher to become immersed in the fine details of what was said
- A superficial look to refresh the memory
- Cross reference with any field notes
- Read between lines for implied meanings
Describe the 4 components of step 3 of coding (creating codes/themes)?
- codes are theme/category labels
- relationship identified amongst categories
- modifying and refining
- be aware of negative cases that do not fit the initial construction of categories - negative cases can help to expand, adapt or restrict the original construct
Describe the alternative coding methods?
Open coding - the initial step of theoretical analysis, developing codes from the data
Axial coding - where the research makes conceptual connections and develops relationships between categories and their properties
Selective coding - describes process of selecting a core code - identifying a story line
Describe themes from an inductive / deductive perspective ?
- Codes are theme labels
- relationship amongst identified categories (analytical deduction)
- codes are grouped under larger categories (deductive analytical procedures)
Describe analytic induction (induction analysis)?
- A process whereby data is scanned to generate themes
What is thematic analysis stage A?
- Reduction/breakdown of text
What is the first stage of thematic analysis?
Step 1 : code material
A) devise a coding framework
B) dissect text into text segments using the coding framework
What is the second stage of thematic analysis?
Step 2 : identify themes
A) abstract themes from coded text segments
B) refine themes
What is step 3 of thematic analysis?
Step 3: construct thematic networks
A) arrange themes B) select basic themes C) rearrange into organising themes D) deduce global themes E) illustrate as thematic network F) verify and refine the network
What is thematic analysis stage B
Exploration of text
What is step 4 and step 5 of thematic analysis?
Step 4 : describe and explore thematic networks
A) describe the network
B) explore the network
Step 5 : summarise thematic networks
What is analysis stage C of thematic analysis and its step ?
Integration of exploration
Step 6 : interpret patterns
What are the stages of analysing data : identifying common themes
- final task involves analysing the themes and sub themes for comparative purposes
- search for differences and similarities between responses
- arrived at generalised conclusions based on the relationships, patterns, themes that have been identified
What is the typical coding notation order?
Theme / sub-theme / participant ID / transcription line numbers
