Qualitative 4- Data Analysis

Question 1

What is the first thing to do to allow analysis for qualitative data?

Answer 1

• Turn the data into a usable format for data analysis. E.g. audio-recordings, interviews and focus groups will all need to be turned into text.
• Artwork will need to be described and summarised

Question 2

What are the factors that will influence the decisions the researchers make about who carries out the transcriptions?

Answer 2

o Time 
o Cost 
o Resources and skills available
o Data security 
o The nature of the recording 
o Impact on the data analysis process

Question 3

The nature of the recording influences who transcribes it, why?

Answer 3

o If the recording involves complex terms there should be a person who is familiar with the terminology transcribing.
o The researcher should also consider the potential impact of the transcriber as it can be distressing- these should not be given to external transcribers.
o The researcher will also decide if all or just some parts of the recordings are transcribed- one risk is that appropriate data may be overlooked.
o The researcher should also decide which convention should be used before the process commences.

Question 4

What is the purpose of analysing qualitative data?

Answer 4

• The purpose of qualitative data analysis is to understand the meaning and to provide an accurate portrayal of that meaning for others.

Question 5

How can qualitative data be analysed?

Answer 5

• There is no definitive method of analysing qualitative data- there are a number of strategies and framework that exists. However, some frameworks are criticised for being too restrictive.
• Data analysis for qualitative data is an iterative process- the researcher engages in a ‘conversation’ with the data in order to understand and interpret.
• The ultimate aim is to make sense of the data and present the researcher’s interpretation without losing the essence of the data.
• Findings from qualitative research can differ but still be similar if being interpreted by two people. This potential strengthens the research.

Question 6

What are the principles of qualitative data analysis?

Answer 6

o Breaking down the data into manageable pieces
o Reviewing and organising the data
o Building the data into manageable portions so the findings can be reported.

Question 7

What should the researcher keep to document the data collection and analysis process?

Answer 7

Audit trial or diary

Question 8

What are the key questions that researchers should be thinking about ?

Answer 8

o What stands out here?
o What are my initial thoughts about this?
o What surprises me about this?
o What is unexpected about this?

Question 9

How can qualitative data be organised?

Answer 9

-Qualitative may be small samples but can create a lot of data so researchers need to decide how to organise the data:
oLong table approach
o A paper cope of the data set can be cut into sections of text, each of which represents a code.
oSoftware packages
oCodes- they are assigned to portions of the text. Researcher can justify the decisions they made.

Question 10

What are the methods of qualitative data analysis?

Answer 10

-When analysing qualitative data, more than one strategy can be used.

Thematic analysis
Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA)
Conversation analysis 
Disclosure analysis
Content analysis

Question 11

What is thematic analysis

Answer 11

• ¬using this method, text is coded into broad or key themes and sub-themes.
• The process begins with the researcher reading and re-reading- inorder to be familiar with the data.
• The transcript is coded from start to finish
• The researcher then begins to form these codes into themes with each theme capturing the essence of the data.
• Gradually, the researcher begins to make sense of the similarities, differences, links, patterns and contraindications.
• A framework of hierarchy is formed.
• As analysis continues the researcher will spend time amending the theme. Until there are around 4-6 broad themes.
• When the researcher writes up the findings, each theme should be described with excerpts of the data used as illustrations.
• CHECKLIST: Transcription  Coding  Analysis  Writing report

Question 12

What is IPA

Answer 12

• It is an approach to analyse data commonly used in phenomenological studies.
• The researcher actively draws on their prior knowledge and experiences when interpreting data.
• Prints of the data: left hand side codes and right hand side analysis.

Question 13

What is conversation analysis?

Answer 13

• Analysing natural occurring everyday conversations rather than more formal interviews.
• Also interested in how the participant say things:
  o Echoing
  o Repetition
  o Pauses and gaps
  o Innotation and emphasis
  o Overall structure of the dialogue
• Detailed and accurate transcription is needed to ensure conversation analysis is undertaken accurately.

Question 14

What is disclosure analysis?

Answer 14

• Aims to understand any communication between people.

- Body-posture, eye contact and non-verbal communication.

Question 15

What is content analysis?

Answer 15

• Can be used for both research methods
• Top down approach
• The researcher decides the themes before data analysis begins.