Qualitative Analysis
Purpose
The purpose of qualitative analysis in a DORIS research project is to identify themes and patterns in experience through organizing, coding, and sorting/filtering data from stakeholder interviews.
Responsible Party
Project Lead, Project Strategist, Research Associate
Interdependencies
Datasets have been cleaned and prepped for analysis
Directions
MAXQDA analysis - for large sets (25+ stakeholders)
The outcome of qualitative analysis is a breakdown of organized themes beginning to identify initial insights. This is typically in the form of a Google Doc or a Mural board.
Maxqda Qualitative Analysis
Opening the File and Setting up the Maxqda Workspace
- Open Maxqda file - Saved in Box in the Project Folder (path: /Projects /Project Name /Challenge Defining /Analysis and Synthesis /Qualitative Analysis /Maxqda Files)
- Once Maxqda file opens, ensure that the view is showing all 4 viewing windows: Document System, Code System, Overview of Coded Segments, and Retrieved Segments. <link to section on full analysis process book>
- Activate All Documents in the Document System Window.
- Activate one code at a time, prioritizing the codes: Fulfilling, Challenging, RoleSpace, Space Likes/Dislikes, ToolsBetterWork, ConnectionDefinition, InclusiveDefinition, AnythingElse.
- The Retrieved Segments window shows the intersection of all activations. (Activations are always indicated in the bottom left of the Maxqda window.)
- The Overview of Coded Segments shows the individual segment selected from the activated documents and codes in the Retrieved Segments window. Attach codes by dragging and dropping them into this Overview Window.
- Need more of a deep dive on this process? <Link to Maxqda Manual: Chapter on Segment Retrieval>
Coding
- Add codes within the activated code. Sub-codes should show the top themes present in the initial code
- Example: Initial Code: Fulfilling, Sub-codes: People I work with, Feeling trusted, Making an impact, etc.
- Auto-code larger data sets when known keywords will retrieve many hits. *Refer to Interviewer debrief notes to look for anticipated codes and keywords.
- Auto-coding saves time by applying a code to all retrieved segments containing the keywords identified.
- Be sure to review the codes and remove any that do not actually apply
- Continue to code until all data is coded, or saturation is met. *Need to define saturation
- File >Save As + add the date to the beginning and your initials to the end. Make sure the file is saved in the correct Box folder.
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