QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

“Qualitative data analysis in the non-numerical assessment of observation made through

participation observation, content analysis, in-depth interview and other qualitative research

technique”

LINKING THEORY & ANALYSIS

•Discovering pattern •Grounded theory Method

•Semiotics•Conversation analysis

Frequency: How often does it happenMagnitude: What is the level of it. How largeStructures: What are the different types of it

Processes: Is there any order among itCauses: is the occurrence different among variablesConsequences: How does it affect other things after

it has occurred

Discovering pattern“different way of looking for patterns

in a particular research topic”

Grounded theory method

"Grounded theory methods are a set of flexible analytic guidelines that enable researchers to focus their data collection and to build inductive middle-

range theories through successive levels of data analysis and conceptual development" Charmaz, K.

(2005)

“to generate or discover a theory”

4 stage in grounded theory method• 1. Comparing incidents applicable to each category :

specifying concepts; [concept of social loss, reaction of nurses to the dying etc]

• 2. Integrating categories and their properties: what is the relationship between concepts; additional variables

• 3. Delimiting the theory: as relationships between concepts emerge, check which one is relevant and which one is not; [what cannot be considered as part of the relationship]

• 4. Writing the Theory

Semiotics•The science of signs

•Has to do with symbols and meanings•Commonly associated with content analysis•Semiotics is based on language but other

multiple sign systems e.g. mathematics, Morse code etc exist.

•semiotics is a social science- agreed meaning among a group about symbols and signs and

their socially desirable expression.

Qualitative data processing

•Coding•Memoing•Concept mapping

memoing• Memoing Memoing is the process of writing memos to yourself as you

develop the coding scheme• Types of Memos• Code notes • Identify the code labels and theirs meanings to the

researcher.• Theoretical notes• Remind the researcher of idea for concept and theory

development during the coding process• Operational notes• Deal primarily with methodological issues. These are idea and

reminders about the data gathering coding process itself.

Concept Mapping

In qualitative data analysis, the researcher spends a lot of time in committing thoughts to paper, in organizing ideas into a coherent conceptual approach to the data.

This process is iterative and one of trial and error.

Placing concepts in a graphical format, called concept mapping, can help the researcher organize thought