Data Analysis: Qualitative Techniques

Objectives --After completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the commonalities as well as the differences between qualitative and quantative data analysis
  • Read, understand, and explain to others the results of qualitative data analyses
  • Decide if a researcher's approach to qualitative data analysis was appropriate, given the design, sampling approach and nature of the data collected
  • Select a qualitative data analysis approach that is appropriate for your own work

Required Material

Comments about Qualitative Data Analysis

Topic 1: The MANY forms of qualitative data analysis

Ratcliff, D. Approaches to qualitative data analysis. Brief overview of some approaches to QDA.

There is a lot more complexity in qualitative data analysis than in quantitative analysis. Chapters 17, 18, and 19 of Bernard describe various forms of qualitative data analysis. Each of these chapters presents several different ways of analyzing qualitative data. For example, Ch. 17 inludes (1) ethnographic decision-making, folk taxonomies, componential analysis, analytic induction, and qualitative comparative analysis. Select one type of qualitative data analysis of interest to you -- one of the ways to analyze data -- from any of these three chapters. I will call upon each of you in class to explain the fundamentals of the form of data analysis you select.

These are good reference materials that focus on the reliability and value of qualitative analysis. They are not required, but I do reocmmend that you consult these resources when you complete Assignment 2.

Astroth, K.S. & Chung, S.Y. (2018) Focusing on the fundamentals: Reading qualitative research with a critical eye. Continuing Nursing Education 45(4), 381-386. e-reserve

Belcher, B.M., Rasmussen, K.E., Kemshaw, M.R. & Zornes, D.A. (2016) Defining and assessing research quality in a transdisciplinary context. Research Evaluation 25(1):1-17. doi:10.1093/reseval/rvv025 e-reserve

Saini, M. & Shlonsky, A. (2012) Appraising the evidence of qualitative studies. Pp. 112-139 in M. Saini & A. Shlonsky, Systematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research. Oxford University Press, New York. e-reserve

Topic 2: How do you "do" qualitative data analysis?

We have not discussed the details of coding and other issues. I strongly recommend that you look at (and keep a copy of) these two resources, but they are not required readings

Bazeley, Pat. (2013) Ch. 2. Designing for Analysis in Qualitative Data Analysis, pp. 32-61. e-reserve.

Ratcliffe, D. Methods of Data Analysis in Qualitative Research. Brief overview of some approaches to QDA.
Research Reports
None