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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+>= 25 stakeholders)

Google Sheets for (< 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.

MaxqdaMAXQDA Qualitative Analysis

Opening the File and Setting up the Maxqda Workspace
  1. Open Maxqda file - Saved in Box in the Project Folder (path: /Projects /Project Name /Challenge Defining /Analysis and Synthesis /Qualitative Analysis /Maxqda Files)
  2. 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>
  3. Activate All Documents in the Document System Window.
  4. 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. Continue to code until all data is coded, or saturation is met. *Need to define saturation
  4. 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.
Before Coding: After Coding:
  • Fulfilling
  • Challenging
  • ToolsBetterWork
  • Space Dislikes
  • Space Likes
  • Connection
  • Inclusion
  • Fulfilling
    • People I work with
    • Feeling trusted
    • Making an impact
  • Challenging
    • Workload
    • Lack of trust
    • Inefficient processes
  • ToolsBetterWork
    • Quiet
    • Privacy
    • Technology
    • Autonomy&Trust
  • Space Dislikes
    • Breakroom is cold
    • Workstations are outdated
  • Space Likes
    • Love the new collab space
    • Location is convenient

Google Sheets Analysis

Process:

  1. Copy data from Raw Data spreadsheet and paste into the appropriate theme/bucket sheet (tabs along the bottom)
  2. Copy data one column/question at a time
  3. Organize like content into rows and write a description of the content into the Possible Finding column.
  4. You don't have to keep all the text from a cell in the same row, and data can be duplicated into multiple themes if needed
  5. If needed, create new "Bucket" tabs for emergent themes
  6. Once you have sorted all the data from a question/column, turn the Question cell gray on the data tab to indicate that it's bucketed.
Resources

Google Sheet Interview Analysis Template

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