Week 7 - Interpreting Qualitative Data

Qualitative Data Analysis

An inductive approach that analyzes:

• Words and phrases

• Symbols

Techniques are not standardized

Analysis begins during data collection

• Compared to quantitative, where analysis begins after

Similarities between qualitative and quantitative data analysis

• Analysis is based on comparions

• Document data collection

• Looks for patterns regarding social life

Differences between qualitative and quantitative data analysis

Qualitative data is less standardized

Difference in epistemology - interpretivism vs. positivism

Qualitative - starts during data analysis (e.x after the first interview or observation)

Quantitative - starts after the entire data set is in

Iterative 

Repeated steps

• The repetition of certain steps within the analytical model

Reflexive

The consideration of the resarcher’s influence over their data

• Biases, prejudices, holes within methods

• Process where a researcher considers their role, and the role of their data

Self-criticism displays trustworthiness in the accuracy of the subject information

Roadmap to analysis (Qualitative)

Test Initial Explanations ——→ Deconfirm Evidence ——→ Redifine Concepts ———> Collect New Data

Iterative Process

Fracturing the Data

To “pull apart”, re-organize, and reassemble the data

• Do it in a systematic way

• Going through data in a methodical way to look for themes

Outline themes and ideas

Coding

The categorization of data in a systematic process

Put data into categories

• e.x. Categorize groups of text, media, etc, and assign a term to describe it

  • e.x. table of contents

Time-consuming and complex, such as 200 pages of text

Deductive Coding

Predetermind themes (theory and literature)

• Analysis of text to look for concepts that stem from these themes

Inductive Coding

Building themes or theories based on the data

• Ground-up approach, analyze multiple pages of data, and identify themes

Codebook

A roadmap that includes a set of codes as well as definitions and examples

Usually stems from iterative processes

• Takes a hefty alot of time, but reliable and consistent

Components (themes) include:

• Code names - Ethnic Superiority

• Definition - the belief that one’s own ethnicity is superior to others

• Example - Podcaster A said to Podcaster B that he believes there is a racial hierarchy, and that his ethnicity sits up top

Grounded Theory (Both a method and theory)

Ground-up approach that uses constant comparison and coding procedures to create a theory from the ground up

• Rooted in empirical observation

Data collection, then constructing a theory based on data

• Theory - an explanation for a phenomenon going on in the world

Elements of grounded theory

Iterative process - repeat the data breakdown and categorization process

• This cycle gradually builds up to a theory

Involves constantly going back to analytical memoes, codi,ng and diagrams

3 Steps of Grounded Theory

Open coding - Identifying codes

Axial coding - Combining Codes

Selective Coding - Develop a theoretical explanation

Open Coding

First step - first encounter with data

• Identify and collect data for the framework

• Essentially label topics & events

Create themes/codes

• Initial framework for analysis

• Detail of the themes depends on the data richness

Don’t concern yourself about making connections, just form codes

Axial Coding

Second step - combine codes

• Combine codes to form thematic categories

• Draw connections between codes

Looks at the relationship between codes

• Codes - themes/categories that we organized blocks of text into

• Axial coding involves creating larger categories based off of the smaller categories (codes)

Temporal Sequencing - If A happens, this causes B to happen, then C

Selective Coding

Last stage for coding

• Once categories of code are complete, develop a theoretical explanation for these codes

Develop a central concept

• A primary code that explains other codes

Coding process example - Teens Coming Out as Gay

Open coding - themes include: living a double life, fear of change, and familial love

Axial Coding - Drawing a connection between these themes (e.x. familial characteristics, anxieties, possible outcomes)

Selective Coding - the overarching theme of identity

Coding True Crime Podcast - Example

Portrayal of co-victims of intimate partner violence on true crime podcast

• Deductive - used the 6 stages of grief as a theme

  • What stage was most highlighted?

Each podcast was chosen based on the theme of a male perpetrator looking at domestic violence amongst adults

Qualitative Content Analysis of the True Crime Podcast

Deductive approach - used the 6 stages of grief as a framework

• Used these pre-existing codes and applied them to the podcast

Looked at each podcast for these themes

• What could be classified as a stage of grief?

Coding Findings (True Crime Podcast Example)

All 6 stages of grief were present, but…

2 stages were commonly portrayed:

• Acceptance

• Meaning

2 Stages were the least common:

• Anger

• Depression

Limitations of the True Crime Podcast Study

The victims talked about on the podcast aren’t representative of all crime victims

Podcasts disproportionately focus on white, heterosexual murder victims

• Ignores many marginalized victims

Certain themes and quotes are cut

Coding Terrorist Social Media Posts

Asked about the motivations for terrorists who use social media

Looked at 153,119 tweets, coded 563

• Classification stemmed from previous analysis of terrorist tweets, used as a guide

• (Inductive Coding)

Findings about terrorist tweets

Terrorists basically tweet for the same reasons as everyone else:

1. Religious Instruction - explaining their religion

2. Reporting from the battlefield - info about battles

1. Communication

2. Tourism - basically, everyday things

3. Threats against the West

Discourse Analysis (EXAM)

By Foucault

Examining how knowledge & meaning are created through the usage of language and context

• Emphasizing how and why something is talked about

• Naming = power

• Latent and manifest understandings of knowledge

You must acknowledge body language, emotion, etc, in the context of discourse

Looks at words (manifest) and the bigger picture (latent)

• What do they mean? What are they trying to accomplish with their words? What does it say about their culture, feelings, or sense of power

Critical Discourse Analysis

Looks at the social implications of how power is attributed through language.

• How power is created through the perception of roles and mastery

Example: A Teacher Says, “Boys are better at math than girls.”

• Why did the teacher say this (Context)

• Where does this idea come from? (Rationale)

• How might this make the students feel

• Does this give more power to one group?

CDA looks for hidden meanings and power imbalances in language

• e.x. Racism, Sexism, etc

Foucault on Language

Language to Foucault is a social practice, with power being created and recreated through language

• Defines social problems

• Outlines powerful state & non-state actors