Qualitative Data Analysis : An Introduction

1. Qualitative Data Analysis : An Introduction Carol Grbich Chapter 21: An overview of qualitative computer management programs

2. Qualitative Compter management programs • Qualitative computing packages comprise three main types: • code and retrieve • theory generation • content analysis These programs provide useful tools but you need to be aware of their pitfalls and limitations.

3. 1. Systematisation: Code and Retrieve programs • Ethnograph 6 –large file capacity • Ethno 2 - hierarchical links for events • SuperHyperQual 1.4 – automatic and semi-automatic coding

4. 2. Theory Generation programs • ATLAS.ti 6.2 • Rocket FolioVIEWS • HyperRESEARCH 2.6 • MAXQDA 10 • NVivo 9 • NUD*IST N6

5. 3. Content analysis These packages are useful tools for breaking into text. Most have the capacity to undertake: • word frequencies indicating how often each word occurs in a document; • category frequencies where synonyms are grouped into categories and the program shows how many times each category occurs in the document; • KWIC (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 context in the document; • cluster analysis where groups of words can be identified as being utilised in similar contexts • co-occurrence of pairsof words. The more sophisticated of these programs are developing the capacity to attempt semiotic analysis and often include cultural grammars.

6. Content analysis programs • asksam 6 • QDA Miner 3.2 • Textpak 7 • Wordcruncher 7.1 • Wordstat 6.1 • ZyIndex Visual data • C Video • Transana 2.4

7. Qualitative computing packages: continuing concerns The tools of computer programs • Tools constructed for a particular program must inevitably impact upon the data.. • 'Reality' has to be segmented, truncated and textured to prepare data to 'fit' a particular form of programming.. • These processes also promote procedural thinking and high frequency logic, and have the capacity to enhance the distortion of time. The framing of knowledge • The sequential and procedural approaches which are intrinsic to individual programs must inevitably structure thought processes and texture the data in particular ways. • The act of enclosure within framing processes confines the data and separates out the data from both the researcher and the context.

8. Qualitative computing packages: continuing concerns The texturing of reality • Views of reality are formal, discrete, reductionist, algorithmic, sequential, deterministic, mechanical, computational, atomised, digitalised, logical and rational • The representations of 'reality' that are produced are based primarily on discreet objects, not thick interpretation Impact on knowledge • The gendering of technology through 'masculine' logic has the potential to distance women from involvement. • There is considerable potential for decontextualised fragments to be hammered into a shape convenient to the purposes of the manipulator • The capacity of programs to handle larger and larger data sets frees up researcher time but encourages more and more data to be collected., • Garbage In, Gospel Out'

9. Qualitative computing packages: continuing concerns Communication - networking • these structured forms of communication (person to computer, computer to computer) bear little resemblance to more usual processes of collaborative research. Reification (or the glorification of the status of computer management) • Where computer management is seen as being the only option • Once codes have been developed, they have a tendency to become objectified or regarded as variables to be looked at in terms of frequency of occurrence. Quantitative interfaces • The quantitative interface of SPSS imposes additional frames on the data

10. Users' comments Idiosyncracies • Many of the programs are idiosyncratic in nature, originally developed by individual academic researchers to help manage their own databases Time • Considerable time is required for the processes of setting up the data and learning to operate the program efficiently Decontextualiasation of data • Computing packages targeted at qualitative research tend to emphasise the common and shared properties of a large number, rather than variations in the minutiae of detail of small numbers Etic view • the etic (outsider, 'objective') rather than the emic (insider, 'subjective') approach to interpreting meaning is fostered

11. Users' comments Best practice • multiple analytic approaches (manual plus computer managed) enhance dependability • it is crucial to be a competent methodologist prior so you have control over the process. These programs are tools for the experienced researcher to use wisely, not substitute tools to cover lack of expertise Audiovisual data • Are viewed as ‘blunt tools’ in a fairly primitive state Which program is better? • MAXQDA with its integrated code, comment and memo functions supports the interrelationship among data, coding and memoing far better in regard to design, ease of use and theory generation,