Lecture 4 - Analysing Qualitative Data

Question 1

Basis of inductive approach?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Basis of deductive approach?

Answer 2

• Use of an existing theory to formulate research question and direct the analysis
• context explored and further refined/tested

Question 3

What is the sequence of inductive reasoning?

Answer 3

Observation -> pattern -> tentative hypothesis -> theory

Question 4

What is the sequence of deductive reasoning?

Answer 4

Theory -> hypothesis -> observation -> confirmation

Question 5

Which method of collection/analysis will be applied if a coding system criteria is set up

Answer 5

Deductively analysed

Question 6

What are the 4 methods of undertaking data analysis?

Answer 6

• inductive and deductive analytical procedures
• transcription of interviews and coding
• identification of key themes
• comparative analysis

Question 7

What are the 3 key stages of qualitative analysis?

Answer 7

1 - data is reduced and organised (coding key process)
2 - data display (conclusions drawn from mass of data)
3 - conclusion drawing / verifications

Question 8

Provide some examples of Codes (descriptive)??

Answer 8

• situation codes, process codes, activity and event codes,methods codes, relationship codes, perspectives held by subjects

Question 9

Explain some parameters of codes

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

What is a ‘theme’ in reference to coding?

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

What is a “bin”?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What is ‘bulk’ in reference to coding?

Answer 12

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).

Question 13

What 4 things should codes be?

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

What are the 5 stages of coding data??

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is axial coding?

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Briefly describe stage 1 of coding data - transcription?

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

Describe state 2 of coding data (multiple readings)??

Answer 17

Re-reading allows researcher to become immersed in the fine details of what was said

1. A superficial look to refresh the memory
2. Cross reference with any field notes
3. Read between lines for implied meanings

Question 18

Describe the 4 components of step 3 of coding (creating codes/themes)?

Answer 18

1. • codes are theme/category labels
2. • relationship identified amongst categories
3. • modifying and refining
4. • 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

Question 19

Describe the alternative coding methods?

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Describe themes from an inductive / deductive perspective ?

Answer 20

• Codes are theme labels
• relationship amongst identified categories (analytical deduction)
• codes are grouped under larger categories (deductive analytical procedures)

Question 21

Describe analytic induction (induction analysis)?

Answer 21

• A process whereby data is scanned to generate themes

Question 22

What is thematic analysis stage A?

Answer 22

• Reduction/breakdown of text

Question 23

What is the first stage of thematic analysis?

Answer 23

Step 1 : code material

A) devise a coding framework
B) dissect text into text segments using the coding framework

Question 24

What is the second stage of thematic analysis?

Answer 24

Step 2 : identify themes

A) abstract themes from coded text segments
B) refine themes

Question 25

What is step 3 of thematic analysis?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is thematic analysis stage B

Answer 26

Exploration of text

Question 27

What is step 4 and step 5 of thematic analysis?

Answer 27

Step 4 : describe and explore thematic networks
A) describe the network
B) explore the network

Step 5 : summarise thematic networks

Question 28

What is analysis stage C of thematic analysis and its step ?

Answer 28

Integration of exploration

Step 6 : interpret patterns

Question 29

What are the stages of analysing data : identifying common themes

Answer 29

• 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

Question 30

What is the typical coding notation order?

Answer 30

Theme / sub-theme / participant ID / transcription line numbers