analysis of qualitative data

qualitative analysis

1. no universal rules- no one set way to do an analysis correctly

2. voluminous amount of narrative data= lots of intensive work

3. need for strong inductive powers and creativity

4. condensing rich data to fit into concise reports

qualitative data management and organization

developing a coding scheme, coding qualitative data, organizing the data

organizing the data

manual methods of organization (conceptual files), computerized methods of organization using CAQDAS

developing a coding scheme

descriptive, process, concept, in vivo, holistic

a general analytic overview

• identify themes or broad categories

• search for patterns among themes, variations in data

• develop charting devices, timelines

• in some cases use metaphors to evoke a visual analogy

• weave thematic pieces into an integrated whole

domain analysis

Domains are broad categories that represent units of cultural knowledge. During this first level of analysis, ethnographers identify relational patterns among terms in the domains that are used by members of the culture. The ethnographer focuses on the cultural meaning of terms and symbols (objects and events) used in a culture and their interrelationships

taxonomic analysis

In taxonomic analysis, the second level in Spradley’s data analytic method, ethnographers decide how many domains the analysis will encompass. After making this decision, a taxonomy—a system of classifying and organizing terms—is developed to illustrate the internal organization of a domain

componential analysis

In componential analysis, multiple relationships among terms in the domains are examined. The ethnographer analyzes data for similarities and differences among cultural terms in a domain

thematic analysis

in theme analysis, cultural themes are uncovered. Domains are connected in cultural themes, which help to provide a holistic view of the culture being studied. The discovery of cultural meaning is the outcome

broad schools of phenomenology

duquesne school (descriptive phenomenology), utrecht school (descriptive and interpretive phenomenology), heideggerian hermaneutics (interpretive)

glaserian approach

substantive codes, theoretical codes

substantive codes

Open codes—ends when core category is identified. Level I (in vivo) codes, level II codes, level III codes. One type of core category is a basic social process (BSP). Selective codes—codes relating to core category only

strauss and corbins method of grounded theory

3 types of coding: open coding, axial coding, selective coding

selective coding

deciding on the central or core category

constuctivist grounded theory approach

theories include researchers experience and involvements

initial coding

data are studied to learn what participants view as problematic

focused coding

identify mist significant initial code and then theoretically code