qualitative data analysis

Question 1

Qualitative studies
* It is all about the data… “with the goal to…
* Would you classify qualitative data as discrete or
continuous?
* Once data is gathered (narrative, interview, written docs, photos, etc.) how is data generated (processed)?
* How is the generated qualitative data analysed ?

Answer 1

Qualitative studies
* It is all about the data… “with the goal to provide in-depth detail and understanding about the topic being discussed”
* Would you classify qualitative data as discrete or
continuous?
* Once data is gathered (narrative, interview, written docs, photos, etc.) how is data generated (processed)?
* How is the generated qualitative data analysed ?

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Identifying the Goals of Data Analysis
* The specific goal of qualitative analysis is important

oCreate a taxonomy:

oDevelop themes:

oDevelop theory:

• It is important for researchers to think about the types of …
• The types of results should be informed by…

Answer 4

Identifying the Goals of Data Analysis
* The specific goal of qualitative analysis is important

oCreate a taxonomy: a formal system for classifying multi-faceted and complex phenomenon

oDevelop themes: a way to characterize the responses of participants and provide insight into the essential components of their experience

oDevelop theory: a set of interlocking causal variables to explain some aspect of personal, social, or physical realities

• It is important for researchers to think about the types of results they want from their analysis.
• The types of results should be informed by the goal, or purpose, of the research.

Question 5

• Qualitative data analysis as …
  oData analysis begins….
  oSince the investigator is the primary data collection instrument, analysis begins the moment the …
  oResearchers need to reflect on the role they play as part of the data analysis process
• Qualitative data analysis as …
  oData analysis doesn’t take place at ….; it is something researchers engage in throughout the….
  oEmbracing analysis as an …. process can add a level of depth and richness to the final interpretations
• Qualitative data analysis as a … process
  oData analysis is not a fixed …. approach
  oResearchers flow through the data analysis process in analytic circles, often returning….
  oWithout embracing the spiral nature of data analysis, much….

Answer 5

• Qualitative data analysis as immediate
  oData analysis begins immediately as part of the development of the research
  oSince the investigator is the primary data collection instrument, analysis begins the moment the investigator begins thinking about her or his research
  oResearchers need to reflect on the role they play as part of the data analysis process
• Qualitative data analysis as ongoing
  oData analysis doesn’t take place at one moment; it is something researchers engage in throughout the entire research process
  oEmbracing analysis as an ongoing process can add a level of depth and richness to the final interpretations
• Qualitative data analysis as a spiral process
  oData analysis is not a fixed linear approach
  oResearchers flow through the data analysis process in analytic circles, often returning to earlier steps in the analysis as new insights and reflections emerge
  oWithout embracing the spiral nature of data analysis, much insight can be missed

Question 6

Qualitative Data Analysis as 3 things

Answer 6

Question 7

Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis
* There is …. to conduct a qualitative analysis
* The ideal approach is one in which the steps in data analysis match the ….
* It is always best practice to consult … to identify specific data analysis strategies that might be particularly important within a particular strategy of inquiry

The steps in the qualitative data analysis

Answer 7

Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis
* There is no one best way to conduct a qualitative analysis
* The ideal approach is one in which the steps in data analysis match the goals of the research and the strategy of inquiry
* It is always best practice to consult key texts to identify specific data analysis strategies that might be particularly important within a particular strategy of inquiry

Question 8

Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis

Step 1: Organize and Prepare the Data

Step 2: Read or Look at all the Data

Answer 8

Step 1: Organize and Prepare the Data
* Transcribing is a key part of organization and preparation
oTaking oral data and reproducing it as faithfully as possible as written text
* Not all data requires transcription, but non-written data needs to be organized and prepared
oE.g., photographic data may be printed or electronically organized

Step 2: Read or Look at all the Data
* Go through the data multiple times
* There are many benefits to spending sufficient time reviewing the data:
It is less likely that something will be missed in the formal coding process
it results in a more rich and insightful final interpretation
It allows researchers to focus on the larger picture that can get missed in the minute details of a data set

Question 9

Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis

Step 5: Decide How the Findings will be Represented
benefits and challenges

Step 6: Interpret the Findings

Answer 9

• Many researchers choose to publish their research findings as a journal article
  oBenefits: journal articles have a long history within academia, experts in the field often review research before publication, many researchers are trained in writing final documents
  oChallenges: page limitations, the article may not reach the intended audience, a written document may not be the desired outcome of a project
• Many other formats for representation exist

Step 6: Interpret the Findings
* Interpretation of the findings can differ substantially depending on researchers’ theoretical inclinations, knowledge of literature, and level of analysis
oMultiple interpretations of findings are okay, expected, and valued
* Human imagination and creativity should be embraced

Question 9

Steps in Qualitative Data Analysis

Step 3: Start Coding all the Data
expected and conceptual

Step 4: Generate Descriptions or Themes

Answer 9

• Coding represents a systematic organizing of the data into meaningful chunks that become the significant themes of the research
• Consists of segmenting data into categories and labeling categories with a term
• Many coding strategies exist
  oE.g., use sticky notes, coloured highlighters, electronic grouping in a spreadsheet
• There are different approaches to code for categories of interest:
• Using qualitative data analysis softwarea

oExpected codes, surprising codes, and unusual codes
oConceptual codes, relationship codes, participant perspective codes, participant characteristic codes, setting codes open coding, categorization matrix

Step 4: Generate Descriptions or Themes
* Researchers look for organizing frameworks that tell the story of their data in a way that best informs their research question common categories might be grouped, isolated data points might be discarded, unique elements might be highlighted
* Types and numbers of themes can vary widely
* Descriptions might be particularly important to allow the reader direct entry into the research