QUALITATIVE DATA

ANALYSIS
OSCAR SITHOLE
21701840
 Qualitative Data

➢Deals with words, texts, images as a unit of

analysis.

➢This can be collected through interviews,

questionnaires, observations, etc.

➢After collecting the data…the next question is

what do you do about the data ?

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 What is it ?

➢ Data analysis can be loosely defined as the [scrupulous] process of structing the already gathered
information, so as to bring order, and assign meaning to it (Marshall & Rosman, 1999).

➢ Tracy (2004:184) “Qualitative data analysis is heavy stuff, giving your brain’s gray matter quite a workout”.

➢ Denscombe (2010) the purpose of analysing the qualitative data is to gain a deeper and better understanding
of it. Through a detailed examination of the phenomenon that is being studied the primary aim is either:

❑ To describe its basic elements;

❑To explain how it operates, work or function; OR

❑ To interpret what it means.

 Qualitative Data Analysis

➢ Qualitative data analysis is inductive vs Quantitative deductive (O’Leary, 2004).

➢ Associated with interpretivism :Interpretivist social world view (Qualitative

Researcher) vs Positivist world view (Quantitative Researcher).

➢ The researcher’s view of the social world together with his sociodemographic
status, beliefs, values, and readings play an influential role on how he analyzes
the qualitative data .

➢ Heath and Cowley (2004:143) they argue that “no one would claim to enter the
field completely free from the influence of past experience and reading”. As a
result, “analysis of data will always be filtered through the qualitative
researcher’s tradition and cultural position.
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 Preparing Qualitative data for analysis

Denscombe (2010).

➢First, Protection of the original data: Through making back-up copies of all the raw
materials. Make use of these back-up copies during analyses while the original files are
kept safe.

➢Second, cataloging and indexing the data: Through identifying each raw data a unique
serial number for reference purposes. It is important because the qualitive research can
easily return to points that he or she is interesting in the data.
 Organizing and Preparing the Data

➢ Tracy (2013) the very first step towards the analysis of data is to systematically organize and
prepare it for analysis.

➢ This includes “gathering, ordering, (re)labeling, printing and sometimes reformatting the data
(p.185).

➢ Its about prepping all the raw data, such as your fieldnotes, interview transcripts, key documents
and a countless number of links to electronic file and websites.

➢ Time consuming, boring and tedious but yet very exciting task.

➢ It is essential that one organizes his or her data in a meaningful manner.

 Coding

➢ “Coding refers to labeling and systematizing the data” (Tracy, 2013:186).

➢ These are labels or tags that are attached to the raw qualitative data
(Denscombe, 2010).

➢ Coding makes the analysis of data very easy and doable.

➢ There are several ways to do coding: paper and coloured pencils, Excel
spreadsheets, or computer-aided qualitative data analysis softwares (Tracy,
2013).

➢ Each of these approaches have its pros and cons.

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➢ The best approach for one study can be not useful for another.
 Manual Approaches

➢Commonly used in creative craft projects.

➢It involves gathering hardcopies of all the raw data

which are characteristically wide with large
margins, then marking up the text with some
marking pens, highlighters, pens or markers of
different colours.

➢Then cutting the bits of information, pasting, hole-

punching, piling, and stinging together the data
(Tracy, 2013). ➢Tracy (2013:187)
 Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis
(CAQDAS)
➢ These are several computer software packages that helps the
researcher to analyse the qualitative data (Denscombe, 2010).

➢ some of the popular CAQDAS (Tracy, 2013):

➢ Word.

➢ Excel.

➢ Invivo.

➢ These computerized programmes helps the researcher to store

the data, code the data, and retrieve the data (Denscombe, 2010). Google images
 Principles of Qualitative Data Analysis

Denscombe (2010).
➢Iterative: continuous and evolving process. Analysis of the data should and must be an
evolving process in which the collection and analysis phases are intertwined and carried
continuously, rather than being a once-off event.

➢Inductive: From the particular to the general. Analysis tends to work from the detail of the
study and attempts to arrive at the more abstract generalized statement of the topic

➢ Researcher Oriented: sustains that Researcher as a significant data analysis instrument. The
researcher is the significant instrument towards the analyzing of the qualitative data. The
values and experience of the researcher are inevitably influencing the analysis of data.
 Qualitative Data Analysis

➢ Analyzing Qualitative data is all about interrogating, summarizing, and pulling connections across the data (O’Leary,
2004).

➢ There is no single approach for analysing qualitative data (Denscombe 2010).

➢ Aim: To answer research questions for your research project.

➢ Approach of analyzing qualitative data:

➢ Reading the data;

➢ Compare it:

➢ Interpret it. [Analysis = uncovering the patterns in the data and interpretation = uncovering the meaning in the data].
 Stages of Qualitative Data Analysis

Denscombe (2010:240).

1. Data preparation.

2. Initial exploration of the data.

3. Analysis of the data.

4. Presentation and display of the data.

5. Validation of the data.

Approaches to Qualitative Data Analysis
Denscombe (2010:280).
 Consolidation

Qualitative data analysis is a scrupulous and iterative

process of organizing, interpreting and analyzing the
qualitative data so as to make it meaningful before
dissemination.
Reflection
 Bibliography

• Primary readings.

• Denscombe, M.2010. The Good Research Guide for small-scale social research projects. 4th Ed. New York: Open University Press.

• Tracy, S.J. 2013. Qualitative Research Methods. Collecting Evidence Crafting Analysis, Communication Impact. USA: Willey-Blackwell Publications.

• Additional Readings Consulted.

• Heath, H., & Cowley, S. 2004. Developing a Grounded Theory Approach: a comparison of Glaser and Strauss. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 41:141-150.

• Humans of data (2018). Your Guide to qualitative and quantitative Data Analysis Methods. https://humansofdata.atlan.com/2018/09/qualitatativeive-quantitative-data-analysis-
methods.

• Hsieh, H., & Shannon, S.E. 2005. Three Approaches To Qualitative Content Analysis.

• O’Conner, H., & Gibson, H.2013. A Step-By-Step Guide to Qualitative Data Analysis. Journal of Aboriginal and Indigenous Community Health. 1(1): 64-90

• O’Leary, Z. 2004. The Essential Guide To Doing Research. London: Sage Publications.

• Marshall, C., & Rosman, G.B. 1999. Designing Qualitative Research (3rd ed). Thousand oaks, CA: Sage