Qualitative Data Analysis : Qualitative Data Analysis : An IntroductionAn Introduction

Carol GrbichCarol GrbichChapter 21:Chapter 21:

An overview of qualitative An overview of qualitative computer management computer management

programsprograms

Qualitative Compter management Qualitative Compter management programsprograms

Qualitative computing packages comprise Qualitative computing packages comprise three main types: three main types:

1.1. code and retrievecode and retrieve

2.2. theory generation theory generation

3.3. content analysiscontent analysis

These programs provide useful tools but you These programs provide useful tools but you need to be aware of their pitfalls and need to be aware of their pitfalls and limitations.limitations.

1. Systematisation: Code and Retrieve 1. Systematisation: Code and Retrieve programsprograms

EthnographEthnograph 6 –large file capacity 6 –large file capacity

EthnoEthno 2 - hierarchical links for events 2 - hierarchical links for events

SuperHyperQualSuperHyperQual 1.4 – automatic and 1.4 – automatic and semi-automatic codingsemi-automatic coding

2. Theory Generation programs2. Theory Generation programs

ATLAS.ti 6.2ATLAS.ti 6.2 Rocket FolioVIEWSRocket FolioVIEWS HyperRESEARCH 2.6HyperRESEARCH 2.6 MAXQDA 10MAXQDA 10 NVivoNVivo 9 9 NUD*IST N6NUD*IST N6

3. Content analysis3. Content analysisThese packages are useful tools for breaking into text. Most have the capacity to These packages are useful tools for breaking into text. Most have the capacity to

undertake:undertake:

wword frequenciesord frequencies indicating how often each word occurs in a document; indicating how often each word occurs in a document;

category frequenciescategory frequencies where synonyms are grouped into categories and the where synonyms are grouped into categories and the program shows how many times each category occurs in the documentprogram shows how many times each category occurs in the document; ;

KWICKWIC (key word in context) which displays, in alphabetical order, each word (key word in context) which displays, in alphabetical order, each word together with a number of words on either side to provide information on its together with a number of words on either side to provide information on its context in the document;context in the document;

cluster analysiscluster analysis where groups of words can be identified as being utilised in where groups of words can be identified as being utilised in similar contextssimilar contexts

co-occurrence of pairsco-occurrence of pairs of words. The more sophisticated of these programs of words. The more sophisticated of these programs are developing the capacity to attempt semiotic analysis and often include are developing the capacity to attempt semiotic analysis and often include cultural grammars.cultural grammars.

Content analysis programsContent analysis programs asksam 6 asksam 6 QDA Miner 3.2QDA Miner 3.2 Textpak 7Textpak 7 Wordcruncher 7.1 Wordcruncher 7.1 Wordstat 6.1Wordstat 6.1 ZyIndexZyIndex

Visual dataVisual data C Video C Video Transana 2.4Transana 2.4

Qualitative computing packages: Qualitative computing packages: continuing concernscontinuing concerns

The tools of computer programsThe tools of computer programs Tools constructed for a particular program must inevitably impact upon the Tools constructed for a particular program must inevitably impact upon the

data.. data..

'Reality' has to be segmented, truncated and textured to prepare data to 'fit' a 'Reality' has to be segmented, truncated and textured to prepare data to 'fit' a particular form of programming..particular form of programming..

These processes also promote procedural thinking and high frequency logic, These processes also promote procedural thinking and high frequency logic, and have the capacity to enhance the distortion of time. and have the capacity to enhance the distortion of time.

The framing of knowledgeThe framing of knowledge The sequential and procedural approaches which are intrinsic to individual The sequential and procedural approaches which are intrinsic to individual

programs must inevitably structure thought processes and texture the data in programs must inevitably structure thought processes and texture the data in particular ways.particular ways.

The act of enclosure within framing processes confines the data and separates The act of enclosure within framing processes confines the data and separates out the data from both the researcher and the context. out the data from both the researcher and the context.

Qualitative computing packages: Qualitative computing packages: continuing concernscontinuing concerns

The texturing of realityThe texturing of reality Views of reality are formal, discrete, reductionist, algorithmic, sequential, Views of reality are formal, discrete, reductionist, algorithmic, sequential,

deterministic, mechanical, computational, atomised, digitalised, logical and deterministic, mechanical, computational, atomised, digitalised, logical and rationalrational

The representations of 'reality' that are produced are based primarily on The representations of 'reality' that are produced are based primarily on discreet objects, not thick interpretation discreet objects, not thick interpretation

Impact on knowledgeImpact on knowledge The gendering of technology through 'masculine' logic has the potential to The gendering of technology through 'masculine' logic has the potential to

distance women from involvement. distance women from involvement.

There is considerable potential for decontextualised fragments to be There is considerable potential for decontextualised fragments to be hammered into a shape convenient to the purposes of the manipulatorhammered into a shape convenient to the purposes of the manipulator

The capacity of programs to handle larger and larger data sets frees up The capacity of programs to handle larger and larger data sets frees up researcher time but encourages more and more data to be collected., researcher time but encourages more and more data to be collected.,

Garbage In, Gospel OutGarbage In, Gospel Out''

Qualitative computing packages: Qualitative computing packages: continuing concernscontinuing concerns

Communication - networkingCommunication - networking these structured forms of communication (person to computer, these structured forms of communication (person to computer,

computer to computer) bear little resemblance to more usual computer to computer) bear little resemblance to more usual processes of collaborative research. processes of collaborative research.

Reification (or the glorification of the status of computer Reification (or the glorification of the status of computer management)management)

Where computer management is seen as being the only option Where computer management is seen as being the only option

Once codes have been developed, they have a tendency to become Once codes have been developed, they have a tendency to become objectified or regarded as variables to be looked at in terms of objectified or regarded as variables to be looked at in terms of frequency of occurrence. frequency of occurrence.

Quantitative interfacesQuantitative interfaces The quantitative interface of SPSS imposes additional frames on The quantitative interface of SPSS imposes additional frames on

the datathe data

Users' commentsUsers' comments

IdiosyncraciesIdiosyncracies Many of the programs are idiosyncratic in nature, originally Many of the programs are idiosyncratic in nature, originally

developed by individual academic researchers to help manage their developed by individual academic researchers to help manage their own databases own databases

TimeTime Considerable time is required for the processes of setting up the Considerable time is required for the processes of setting up the

data and learning to operate the program efficiently data and learning to operate the program efficiently

Decontextualiasation of dataDecontextualiasation of data Computing packages targeted at qualitative research tend to Computing packages targeted at qualitative research tend to

emphasise the common and shared properties of a large number, emphasise the common and shared properties of a large number, rather than variations in the minutiae of detail of small numbers rather than variations in the minutiae of detail of small numbers

Etic viewEtic view the etic (outsider, 'objective') rather than the emic (insider, the etic (outsider, 'objective') rather than the emic (insider,

'subjective') approach to interpreting meaning is fostered'subjective') approach to interpreting meaning is fostered

Users' commentsUsers' commentsBest practiceBest practice multiple analytic approaches (manual plus computer multiple analytic approaches (manual plus computer

managed) enhance dependability managed) enhance dependability

it is crucial to be a competent methodologist prior so you it is crucial to be a competent methodologist prior so you have control over the process. These programs are tools have control over the process. These programs are tools for the experienced researcher to use wisely, not for the experienced researcher to use wisely, not substitute tools to cover lack of expertise substitute tools to cover lack of expertise

Audiovisual dataAudiovisual data Are viewed as ‘blunt tools’ in a fairly primitive state Are viewed as ‘blunt tools’ in a fairly primitive state

Which program is better?Which program is better? MAXQDA with its integrated code, comment and memo MAXQDA with its integrated code, comment and memo

functions supports the interrelationship among data, functions supports the interrelationship among data, coding and memoing far better in regard to design, ease coding and memoing far better in regard to design, ease of use and theory generation, of use and theory generation,