Software for Data Analysis

This book presents strategies for analyzing qualitative and mixed methods data with MAXQDA software, and provides guidance on implementing a variety of research methods and approaches, e.g. grounded theory, discourse analysis and qualitative content analysis, using the software. In addition, it explains specific topics, such as transcription, building a coding frame, visualization, analysis of videos, concept maps, group comparisons and the creation of literature reviews. The book is intended for masters and PhD students as well as researchers and practitioners dealing with qualitative data in various disciplines, including the educational and social sciences, psychology, public health, business or economics.

Software is cut-and-dried – every button you press has a predictable effect – but qualitative analysis is open-ended and unfolds in unpredictable ways. This contradiction is best resolved by separating analytic strategies – what you plan to do – from software tactics – how you plan to do it. Expert MAXQDA users have unconsciously learned to do this. The Five-Level QDA® method unpacks the process so that you can learn it consciously and efficiently.

This book is a practical manual that provides step-by-step instruction for collecting and analyzing cultural data. It offers an early introduction into the suite of tools offered in cultural models analysis, including step-by-step guides and screenshots from MAXQDA, UCINET and Anthropac. Though based from within anthropological methods training, these methods of cultural data analysis from ethnographic studies can be widely applied within the social sciences, and will be of interest to undergraduate students and students in anthropology, communication studies, sociology and within research methods training