An introduction to computerised analysis of qualitative data

Abstract

Over the last two decades there has been an increase in the use of qualitative research, particularly in the human sciences. Such a move has resulted in an increasing number of researchers across disciplines using various types of qualitative software specially designed for managing text and facilitating analysis of qualitative data. However, we feel that limited information is available on the nature and practical use of these programmes in the Irish context. This has led to various misconceptions regarding the use of such programmes. In addition, international literature has highlighted the importance of making the qualitative research process more transparent in terms of describing in detail the analytical procedures applied in qualitative research. This article seeks to open up the debate surrounding qualitative data analysis and provoke discussion about the use of qualitative software packages in educational research. Based on a mixed-methods educational research project involving a substantive qualitative component, this article explores the joy and despair associated with using Qualitative Solutions Research (QSR) Non-numerical Unstructured Data: Indexing, Searching and Theorizing Version 6 (‘N6 software’), and aims to dispel some of the myths that exist around using such software.

Notes

1. For further reading on technological developments concerned specifically with data gathering, consult Gibbs et al. (2002).

2. For more details on CAQDAS and the CAQDAS networking project, follow the link http://caqdas.soc.surrey.ac.uk/

3. For a demonstration version of N6, follow the link www.qsrinternaional.com

4. Interview transcripts and other external documents are reformatted into plain text data files (.txt).

5. The Node Explorer window is organised on the same principle as Document Explorer and has similar functions allowing you to browse and gain easy access to the node.

6. In fact, Strauss and Corbin (1998) link the growth in the use of the grounded theory methodology to the use of qualitative software and outline its prevalence in the disciplines of education, nursing, psychology and sociology.

7. Further discussion of these types of theoretical analysis can be found in Shkedi (2004) and Creswell (1997).