Qualitative Data Analysis

Using Atlas.ti 7

Prepared by

Seyed Abdorreza Payambarpour

Email: payambarpour@aol.com

University Technology Malaysia (UTM)

One day workshop about

Why do Qualitative research?

Qualitative research methods are designed to help researchers understand:

• people and what they say and do.

• The social and cultural contexts within which people live.

BENEFIT

It allows a researchers to See and Understand the Context within which

decisions and actions take place.

Qualitative researchers argue that if you want to understand people’s

motivations, their reasons, their actions, and the context for their beliefs and

actions in an in-depth way, qualitative research is best (Michael D. Myers,

2009).

Qualitative Vs. Quantitative

Qualitative research“A focus on Text”

Quantitative research“A focus on numbers”

Action research Surveys

Case study research Laboratory experiments

Ethnography Simulation

Grounded theory Mathematical modeling

Semiotics SEM (CB or PLS)

Discourse analysis Statistical analysis

Hermeneutics Econometrics

Narrative and metaphor

Source: Michael D. Myers, 2009

Research Methods

AnalyzingData

What is Atlas.ti?

Atlas.ti is a computer program used mostly, but not exclusively, in qualitativeresearch or qualitative data analysis.

• The purpose of ATLAS.ti is to help researchers uncover andsystematically analyze complex phenomena hidden in unstructured data(text, multimedia, geospatial).

• The program provides tools that let the user locate, code, and annotatefindings in primary data material, to weigh and evaluate their importance,and to visualize the often complex relations between them.

• ATLAS.ti consolidates large volumes of documents and keeps track of allnotes, annotations, codes and memos in all fields that require close studyand analysis of primary material consisting of text, images, audio, video,and geo data.

Download the latest version of software through:http://payambarpour.wordpress.com/2013/09/14/what-is-atlas-ti-7-and-

how-to-reach-it/

Central Concept

Hermeneutic Unit (HU)A database containing all data, quotes, codes, output, and so on that is associated with a research project.

HU

PDs

Quotes

Codes

Memos

Families

Networks

Central Concept

Primary Document (PD)A data file that can be assigned to a HU.

PDs

Surveys

Interview

Focus groups

Observation

Archival research

Photo, video, voice

Starting a project

The first time you run the software, you will be promoted with a“welcome HU” by Atlas.ti

Next time you run Atlas.ti, you will be promoted with the last saved HU Create a new folder for a project (anywhere on your computer) Move the original documents (they will be PDs) into the same folder Create an HU file in the same folder Save

To add new P-Docs

• Add Documents (My library) => To do your owned work.• Add Documents (Team library) => To do team work and trace the workof your colleagues.

Always use “ Save copy Bundle” after any change.

How to view different P-Docs?

• Loading up to four documents simultaneously.• Allows to conduct rich comparative analysis.

How to import survey into Atlas.ti?

How to import survey into Atlas.ti?

How to organize P-Docs into Families?

How to organize Codes into Families?

How to create Codes and Quotations?

The Inductive- Deductive approaches of coding

External Framework

Deductive

DATA

DATA

Inductive

Generalization

You are not forced into a deductive or an inductive approach.Commonly people combine both approaches.

How to create Codes and Quotations?

How to create Codes and Quotations?

Deductive Approach

Or right click on text -> Coding -> Select Code from list

How to create Codes and Quotations?

Inductive Approach

How to apply Auto coding to search andcode a specific word?

How to apply Auto coding to search andcode a specific word?

How to code a video, picture, …?

How to code a video, picture, …?

How to remove codes from Quotation?

How to create Quotations and free Quotations?

Quotation

Segments of the text selected by researcher or auto-coding.

Create Free Quotation

Free quotations are those quotations which are not linked to a code.

Later on, the proper code for them will be created.

Right click on a selected area and select “create free quotation” or select “” in the

shortcut bar located in the left side.

How to create free Quotations?

Quotation manager

How to resize the Quotation

How to create Memos?

Spaces for reflection, analysis, integration, and interpretation.

Memos can be linked to codes, quotations, and even other memos.

Network Views

A smart way to visualize your analysis.

Connect codes to codes and quotations to quotation through meaning and

sometimes P-Docs.

Represent hypotheses & findings.

There are 2 types of network links:

1) Weak-Link: linkages between elements created through the normal analytical

process.

2) Strong –Link: Graphic representation of a semantic type linking codes to codes

(quotations to quotations) through specific meaning- researcher’s understanding

of the problem.

How to create weak-link network?

Right click on the code and choose “Open network”

In new windows, right click on the code and select “Import common

Neighbors” from “Import Neighbors”.

Go to Display -> Quotation verbosity -> Full text

How to create Strong-link network?

Drag another code into the Network view.

Click on one code to reveal the red dot, drag it and drop onto another code.

Change the arrows by Flip link option on right click.

How to create Strong-link network?

If you want to hide some linkages just right click and select “remove from

view”, DON’T Delete it.

You can import existing nodes -> Nodes -> Import Nodes

How to save network?

Go to “Network” -> “Save as Graphic file” (As picture)

Go to “Network” -> “Print Network view” (Changeable)

How to create output?

There are 2 types of output : qualitative and quantitative

Qualitative output(Out put in Word)

How to create quantitative output?

Enhanced potential for

analysis ( especially in

finding the quotation count)

Quantitative output(Out put in Excel)

How to create quantitative output?

How to create quantitative output?

How to make bundled files for backup process?

How to make bundled files for backup process?

The End

Email: payambarpour@aol.com

www.payambarpour.wordpress.com