Analyzing Qualitative Data Chapter 8 Making Sense of

Analyzing Qualitative Data Chapter 8 Making Sense of Data

Qualitative Data Analysis n “The ultimate goal is to produce a coherent, focused analysis of some aspect of the social life that has been observed and recorded, an analysis that is comprehensible to readers who are not directly acquainted with the social world at issue” Emerson et al. , 1995, 142

Steps in Research Process Data Analysis In Focus n Rigorous, systematic analytic process to transform reams of raw data into new knowledge Deconstruct and reconstruct n Interpretive, inductive n n Thematic/content analysis; constant comparative n Generates concepts, themes, theory, thick description

Steps in Research Process Data Analysis In Focus n Cycles of n Coding n Memoing n Displaying data n Writing, writing, and more writing

Qualitative Data Analysis n There is no single way to analyze qualitative data n i. e. , many different methods can be used to make meaning of the data collected & recorded n It is a creative process n meaning is not hidden in the words you’ve written; rather you actively create the meaning

Developing an Analysis n Several methods available n may even create something yourself n Generally: n Look for patterns (similarities and differences) n Compare cases n Build typologies n Construct content analysis n Construct narrative accounts (stories)

What to do once you’ve collected and recorded ALL that data!? ! If you’ve waited until ALL the data is collected to begin your analysis, you’ve made your first mistake

Data Analysis Data Collection Data Analysis & Theory Generation

Data Analysis n Transcribe interviews & observation notes n Read and reflect on transcripts & journal entries n As transcripts are produced n Several times n Annotate n Write further memos in journal

Nature of Qualitative Data Analysis n Ongoing process n direct data collection productively to develop a relevant & manageable data base Merriam, 1988 n Allows clarification of the issue n Begins with first data collected n Personal journal n review field notes from data collection process n field reflection n perceived success § what did you see? n emerging ideas - categories/themes

Data Analysis n Human-as-instrument n “responsive, adaptable, knowledge base expansion, holistic emphasis, opportunities for clarification & summarization, opportunity to explore atypical responses” (Lincoln, & Guba, 1984) n Categories emerge from units of information n Link & connect n Identify broad themes n Deconstruct Reconstruct n Combine similar categories n Iterative process n Corroborate n Produce report

Qualitative Data Analysis n. Organize it! n. Read it! n. Define it! n. Share it!

Qualitative Data Analysis n Organize it n Find a way to put the data together n Read it n Immerse yourself in the data n Define it n Generate categories or themes from the data n Share it n Present your data and analysis to others

Organizing Data n No single way n you find the way that works for you (your background, your personality) AND the data AND study purpose n Ongoing process n again if you wait until everything is collected to label, date, sort, you’ve made a mistake n Separate different data types n transcripts, field notes, etc. n Keep data in chronological order n n field notes vs. interviews Labelled, dated, etc.

Organizing Data n Organize by topic or document type n n n Topic vs. chronological Women vs. men Active vs. inactive n Making a list or logbook n methodology of reflexive journal n Computer or hard copy? n Even if stored on computer, make a “hard” copy n Multiple copies n n Always have one “unblemished” copy in your files Fire? Computer viruses? Etc.

Reading Data n Getting intimate with your data n immersion n Read all transcripts, field notes & journals to simply get a “feel for data” n Read & reflect on the transcripts & field notes several times

Reading the Data n Chronological order n in the order collected n Personal Journal n what stood out the most n similarities & differences n If needed, organize transcripts or field notes into respective groups n Personal Journal n n n similarities & differences organize thoughts emerging themes

Defining the Data n Remember meaning is created from the data collected n it does not simply exist in the words that are there!

Defining the Data n Coding n n first step in making sense of your data Coming up with a small number of categories or patterns that reflect potential meaning in the data Assigning tags or labels or codes to units of data Indexing data so can be reorganized in new way n Codes n n n Pre-assigned vs. emerge from the data (open) Refined as you move along Several together create themes as they emerge

Deconstruction & Reconstruction n Deconstruction of data n Increases complexity through coding process n Reconstruction of data n Eases understanding of original data through thematic analysis

Coding n Open Coding n No preset code list n Emerges from the data n Often uses action words (-ing endings) n In vivo codes n Codes use participants own words n Axial Coding n Used to identify relationships among lineby-line codes n Conditions, context, action, consequences

Line-by-line coding n For grounded theory n n Forces you to see beyond your biases n 1. to see data in “new light” Look for what is happening in the data n 2. each idea should become part of your analysis Make codes specific, active, descriptive, close to data Ask yourself critical questions about data n Process directs & focuses data collection § Hesse-Biber, & Leavy, 2005, p. 506 -507

Focused Coding n Study data with a fresh viewpoint n Using limited number of codes that appear repeatedly to review large data set n Can use to try out categories & themes § Hesse-Biber, & Leavy, 2005, p. 506 -507

Code-and-retrieve coding style n Codes applied to transcript segments or chunks that speak to one concept or topic n Chunks vary in length n Retrieve n All segments with same code brought together in one file n Further memoing, displaying data & writing n Explains to others “what is going on here? ”

Defining the Data “The task of sifting through much material can become daunting. For weeks, even months, you may have nothing to show as proof of effort expended. . Fieldwork is the outward manifestation of an inward pledge that most of us make to continue striving to understand a particular people. ” § Plath, 1990 cited in Neuman, (2003), p. 442)