Execute Qualitative Analysis

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.

Top two qualitative analysis methods used:

1. Maxqda analysis - for large sets (25+ stakeholders)
2. Google Sheets analysis - for small 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.

Create Initial Insights Document

1. Open insight analysis outline template and arrange in a window/second monitor next to the Maxqda window.
2. While adjusting code activations to filter views, Add supporting details to each section, organizing and rearranging as needed.
3. Copy and paste in relevant and exemplary quotes.
   
4. Organize the sections by importance/saturation
5. Each researcher completing analysis will come to the synthesis meeting with their own Individual analysis insights document.

Google Sheets Analysis

Process:

• Copy data from Raw Data spreadsheet and paste into the appropriate theme/bucket sheet (tabs along the bottom)
• Copy data one column/question at a time
• Organize like content into rows and write a description of the content into the Possible Finding column.
  
• 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
• If needed, create new "Bucket" tabs for emergent themes
• 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.