Working With Qualitative Data

Working with Qualitative Data provides a practical and accessible introduction to how to develop and apply strategies for the analysis of qualitative data by exploring the ways in which analysis is related to all aspects of research. By situating analysis in the context of the whole research process, this book helps the reader to introduce an analytical component to every stage of doing research: from designing a project, reviewing the literature, through the various stages of gathering data, to the process of writing-up. Through practical examples the book maps out strategies for developing analytic frameworks in relation to all aspects of research, and demonstrates the ways in which such frameworks can be used in relation to various sorts of data. In contrast to existing qualitative data analysis texts, this book offers a unified approach to the process of analysis within qualitative research. It will be of great use to students and researchers across the full range of social, health and education sciences.

The wide range of approaches to data analysis in qualitative research can seem daunting even for experienced researchers. This handbook is the first to provide a state-of-the art overview of the whole field of QDA; from general analytic strategies used in qualitative research, to approaches specific to particular types of qualitative data, including talk, text, sounds, images and virtual data. The handbook includes chapters on traditional analytic strategies such as grounded theory, content analysis, hermeneutics, phenomenology and narrative analysis, as well as coverage of newer trends like mixed methods, reanalysis and meta-analysis. Practical aspects such as sampling, transcription, working collaboratively, writing and implementation are given close attention, as are theory and theorization, reflexivity, and ethics. Written by a team of experts in qualitative research from around the world, this handbook is an essential compendium for all qualitative researchers and students across the social sciences.

Lecturers, click here to request an e-inspection copy of this text This new edition of Lyn Richards' best-selling book provides an accessible introduction to qualitative research for students and practitioners. Recognizing that for many new researchers dealing with data is the main point of departure, this book helps them to acquire a progressive understanding of the skills and methodological issues that are central to qualitative research. Lyn Richards provides clear and pragmatic guidance on how to handle, reflect on and get results from small amounts of data, while at the same time showing how a consideration of methods and their philosophical underpinnings informs how we should best handle our data. This book also covers all the processes of making, meeting, sorting, coding, documenting and exploring qualitative data, smoothly integrating software use and the discussion of the main challenges that readers are likely to encounter. It guides novice researchers to achieve valid and useful outcomes from qualitative analysis, and to ensure they do justice to their data. This second edition features: - Increased coverage of issues about the researcher's relation to their data and ethical implications - An expanded section on preparing for data collection and reflecting on the nature of data. There is also a brand new website, offering: - Live, detailed case studies of qualitative methods in practice, linking to publications and illustrative material. Researchers tell the stories of projects, from design, through what was actually done with the data, to how analysis was achieved and reported; - A software guide with links to information and tutorials in several products.

Written by an experienced researcher in the field of qualitative methods, this dynamic new book provides a definitive introduction to analysing qualitative data. It is a clear, accessible and practical guide to each stage of the process, including: - Designing and managing qualitative data for analysis - Working with data through interpretive, comparative, pattern and relational analyses - Developing explanatory theory and coherent conclusions, based on qualitative data. The book pairs theoretical discussion with practical advice using a host of examples from diverse projects across the social sciences. It describes data analysis strategies in actionable steps and helpfully links to the use of computer software where relevant. This is an exciting new addition to the literature on qualitative data analysis and a must-read for anyone who has collected, or is preparing to collect, their own data.

This book presents strategies for analyzing qualitative and mixed methods data with MAXQDA software, and provides guidance on implementing a variety of research methods and approaches, e.g. grounded theory, discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis, using the software. In addition, it explains specific topics, such as transcription, building a coding frame, visualization, analysis of videos, concept maps, group comparisons and the creation of literature reviews. The book is intended for masters and PhD students as well as researchers and practitioners dealing with qualitative data in various disciplines, including the educational and social sciences, psychology, public health, business or economics.

Lecturers/instructors only - request a free digital inspection copy here This straightforward, jargon-free book provides an invaluable introduction to planning and conducting qualitative data analysis with NVivo. Written by leading authorities, with over 40 years combined experience in computer-assisted analysis of qualitative and mixed-mode data, the new edition of this best selling textbook is an ideal mix of practical instruction, methodology and real world examples. Practical, clear and focused the book effectively shows how NVivo software can accommodate and assist analysis across a wide range of research questions, data types, perspectives and methodologies. It sets out: The power and flexibility of the NVivo software How best to use NVivo at each stage in your research project Examples from the authors′ own research and the sample data that accompanies the software, supplemented with vignettes drawn from across the social sciences Annotated screen shots A website with links to data, sample projects, supplementary/updated instructions, and SAGE journal content This second edition contains new chapters on handling a literature review, visualizing data, working in mixed methods and social media datasets, and approaching NVivo as a team. An insightful step-by-step guide to the messy reality of doing computer-assisted analysis, this successful book is essential reading for anyone considering using NVivo software.

Winner of the 2020 Anselm Strauss Award for Qualitative Family Research, National Council on Family Relations. How is qualitative data actually collected, analyzed, and accomplished? Real stories of How Qualitative Data Analysis Occurs: Moving Beyond "Themes Emerged" offers an in-depth look into how qualitative social science researchers studying family issues and dynamics approach their data analyses. It moves beyond the usual vague statement of "themes emerged from the data" to show readers how researchers actively and consciously arrive at their themes and conclusions, revealing the complexity and time involved in making sense of thousands of pages of interview data, multiple data sources, and diverse types of data. How Qualitative Data Analysis Occurs focuses on a diversity of topics in family research across the life course. The various authors provide detailed narratives into how they analyzed their data from previous publications, and what methodologies they used, ranging from arts-based research, autoethnography, community-based participatory research, ethnography, grounded theory, to narrative analysis. Supplemental figures, images, and screenshots which are referred to in the chapters, are included in an accompanying eResource, as well as links to the previously published work on which the chapters are based. This book is an invaluable resource for experienced and novice qualitative researchers throughout the social sciences.

For those interested in finding a computer application well-suited for their own qualitative research or just learning more about the capabilities of the latest generation of computer software designed with text, Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis by Eben A. Weitzman and Matthew B. Miles probably represents the single investment they can make. . . . In Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis, Weitzman and Miles . . . provide a critical, in-depth look at 24 separate applications. The authors make an impressive team: Weitzman is a professor of social and organizational psychology with an extensive computer background, and Miles is a social psychologist who is well-known in the field of qualitative research for co-authoring a popular book on qualitative data analysis with A. Michael Huberman. Together, the two researchers have produced an informative, user-friendly sourcebook that can save readers a significant amount of time and money when shopping for a software program for qualitative data analysis. Weitzman and Miles clearly put a tremendous amount of work into Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis; they write their reviews of each application in remarkably lucid and jargon-free language in a format reminiscent of Consumer Reports. The level of detail in the reviews reflects their careful and thoughtful field-testing of 24 software programs. Reviews average about 10 pages each and actually show you what each application can do, and every review includes a series of realistic visuals (complete with helpful captions) that display what the computer screen looks like when performing various functions with that specific computer program. In addition to describing the special features of each computer program, Weitzman and Miles discuss the strengths and weaknesses of every application and make explicit comparisons with other applications in the same ′family.′ "Sage Publications deserves special credit for their role in publishing Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis. Instead of issuing this book in hardcover and attaching a hefty price tag, they released it as an oversized (81/2-by-11-inch) paperback and made this valuable information available at a modest cost. Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis is the most comprehensive resource on its subject currently available, and is an excellent starting point for qualitative researchers interested in integrating computer technology more fully into their own data analysis strategies." --Harvard Educational Review "The book by Weitzman & Miles is one of many new books on computers and qualitative software and indeed a good one. . . . The book is truly a user′s book--one of the useful ones. . . . After this first feeling of self-confidence, I just kept on reading the book and found very thorough and illuminative reviews of no less that 24 computer programs for qualitative analysis. . . . Renata Tesch initiated the work of making it easier for us to survey the qualitative analysis methods--Weitzman & Miles carry on in the finest way." --Nyhedsbrer "Although the authors have a background in social and organizational psychology, their expertise on qualitative research methods is relevant to gerontologists. . . . The authors give a history of the use of computers in qualitative data analysis, describe the different types of programs, and suggest future directions, but the bulk of this book is reviews of the software out there. . . . Before you spend several hundred dollars on a software program, spend thirty and get this book." --T. L. Brink in Clinical Gerontologist "Eben A. Weitzman and Matthew B. Miles′s valuable sourcebook on computer programs is designed exclusively for those interested in qualitative data analysis. . . . For qualitative researchers who want to learn or update their knowledge of the use of computer software." --Choice "What program do I use to analyze my field notes? Eben A. Weitzman and Matthew B. Miles provide the information you need to make that decision intelligently: full descriptions, informed judgments, and helpful comparisons. Anyone who does fieldwork needs this book." --Howard Becker, Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle "This will be the standard work of reference for several years to come. We owe the authors a considerable debt of gratitude for all the work they have put into reviewing such a comprehensive range of software. The result is incredibly lucid." --Paul Atkinson, University of Wales, Cardiff "The book is absolutely perfect for my situation. I don′t know how many readers will be in the position of purchasing software for respective labs, but those who are will be in for a real treat. The comprehensiveness of the reviews is more than adequate to determine whether a particular program meets the needs of an individual or group. . . . It is the most comprehensive book of its kind, for any kind of software, that I have ever seen." --Steven E. Wolfel, Research Publishing Consultant "Making decisions about choosing software for qualitative data analysis can be intimidating and I think this book will be an excellent resource for those of us who are involved in this type of research. I found this to be an extremely well-thought-out and informative resource book. The detail is wonderful." --Kathleen R. Gilbert, Indiana University, Bloomington Do you want to start, extend, or update your use of computer software for qualitative data analysis? If so, this clear and user-friendly guidebook is for you. Without assuming its reader has extensive computer experience, Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis takes a critical yet practical look at the wide range of software currently available. It gives detailed reviews of 24 programs in five major categories (text retrievers, textbase managers, code-and-retrieve programs, code-based theory-builders, and conceptual network-builders) and gives ratings of more than 75 features per program. The authors also provide detailed guidance in operating each program. They help you to ask key questions about your computer use--the nature of your project, time line, analyses planned, and the worksheets required--to help you identify the programs best suited to your needs. Up-to-date and practical, Computer Programs for Qualitative Data Analysis is an absolute must-have book for any qualitative researcher who uses--or wants to use--computer programs in analyses.