Week 7: Coding and interpreting qualitative data

What is the difference between verbatim transcription and the Jefferson approach?

Verbatim transcription includes a transcription of the exact words, while the Jefferson approach includes specified features like hesitation, tone, pitch, or emotion.

What is analysis?

• A systematic, rigorous and logical process where data is given meaning

• Breaking data into smaller parts – understand pps' experiences better

• Applying codes to segments of data – more structured framework for analysis

• Creating new concepts

What is inductive coding?

Inductive coding is a method free from pre-determined hypotheses, focusing on discovering patterns in qualitative data.

What are the stages of coding in qualitative analysis?

1. Transcribe the data

2. Familiarisation

3. Coding

4. Search for Themes

5. Review and refine themes

6. Define and name themes.

What is thematic analysis?

Thematic analysis is a method that can be both deductive and inductive, resulting in identified themes within a dataset.

What is the purpose of analysis in qualitative research?

Analysis aims to create codes that define what is seen in the data, emphasising the relationship between the researcher and the respondent.

What are the 2 stages of analytical coding?

1. Describing what is there

2. Interpreting it

What is the importance of confidentiality in qualitative research?

Confidentiality ensures the privacy of participants, which is crucial when writing up results and is governed by laws like GDPR.

What does the process of interpretation involve in qualitative analysis?

Interpretation involves finding meaning in data through active engagement and asking questions about its importance and implications.

What is the significance of reflection in qualitative research?

Reflection is important for ensuring the reliability of interpretations and representations of participants' narratives.

What is the difference between data analysis and data interpretation?

Data analysis summarises collected data, while data interpretation seeks to find meaning within that data.

What should researchers consider to know when to stop coding?

Researchers should ask if their codes represent the dataset, if they are finding new codes, or if they are merely tweaking established codes.

What is the role of themes in qualitative data analysis?

Themes bundle multiple codes together to provide a structured understanding of the data.

What is discourse analysis?

Discourse analysis studies the structure of texts without developing themes, focusing instead on social interactions.

What is conversation analysis?

Conversation analysis examines social interaction and the structures that emerge from it, rather than identifying themes.

What is the significance of the researcher-participant relationship in qualitative analysis?

The relationship is crucial for gathering rich data, as it helps make interviewees comfortable and fosters rapport.

What are the ethical considerations in qualitative research?

Ethical considerations include ensuring participant confidentiality, proper data storage, and adherence to data protection legislation.

What does it mean for qualitative data to lack richness?

If qualitative data lacks richness, the analysis will also be lacking and weak, failing to capture the depth of participants' experiences.

How can qualitative researchers ensure trustworthiness in their data?

Researchers can check the trustworthiness of their data through reflective practices and ensuring accurate representation of participants' narratives.

What is the importance of anonymity in transcription?

Anonymity in transcription protects participant identities by using pseudonyms and maintaining confidentiality.

How can anonymity be ensured within transcription? (Antaki, 2009)

•Use names with the same syllable length

•Maintain gender

•Make sure contractions are possible (e.g. Jennifer – Jenny – Jen)

•Preserve ethnicity – add important, meaningful context

•Use replacements of similar commonness

•Preserve probable conventions of age, class & locality

•Country names can be left

•City names can be left unless they allow a person to be identified

•Town and village names can be replaced with similar fictitious places

•Institutional names should be changed (e.g. company names)