Chapter 9- Qualitative data analysis

Categorization

placing portions of transcripts into similar groups based on their content

Codes

labels or numbers that are used to track categories in a qualitative study

code sheet

a document that lists the different themes or categories for a particular study

comparison

the process of developing and refining theory and constructs by analyzing the differences and similarities in passages, themes, or types of participants

credibility

the degree of rigor, believability, and trustworthiness in qualitative research findings.

cross-researcher reliability

the degree of similarity in the coding of the same data by different researchers

data reduction

the categorization and coding of data that is part of the theory development process in qualitative data

ethnic validity

an attribute of qualitative research that affirms that key members within a culture or subculture agree with the finding of a research report

integration

the process of moving from the identification of themes and categories to the development of theory

iteration

working through the data several times in order to modify early ideas

member checking

asking key informants to read the researcher’s report to verify that the analysis is accurate

memoing

writing down thoughts as soon as possible after each interview, focus group, or site visit

negative case analysis

deliberately looking for cases and instances that contradict the ideas and theories that researchers have been developing

peer review

a process in which external qualitative methodology or topic area specialists are asked to review the research analysis

recursive

a relationship in which a variable can both cause and be caused by the same variable

selective coding

building a storyline around one core category or theme, the other categories will be related to or subsumed to this central overarching theme.

triangulation

addressing the analysis from multiple perspectives, including using multiple methods of data collection and analysis, multiple data sets, multiple researchers, multiple time periods, and different kinds. of relevant research informants

verbatims

quotes from research participants that are used to research reports