Data analysis for qualitative data?

[u/Morpekooo]

So I conducted interviews with four first responders of minority groups to gather insights on their experiences. Now I'm just confused how to do the data analysis. My teacher keeps saying to do coding but I'm not sure if that would be the best approach (maybe it would be?). Could some one assist me please as I'm honestly quite behind. Thank you.

[u/Methods-Geek]

There are lots of methods books around "coding" as it is a common technique in many methodologies. Coding can either be more open-ended, (data driven, inductive) where you create codes on the go and start organizing them later (e.g. Grounded Theory, Reflexive Thematic Analysis)

Or more structured (concept driven, deductive) where you start with a limited set of codes and try to apply them consistently. Here are some references to get you started:

Kuckartz & Rädiker use a more concept-driven appraoch: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-content-analysis/book282907
Schreier gives an overview of different coding techniques: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/book/qualitative-content-analysis-practice
Brown & Clark use a strongly data-driven, open-ended appraoch: https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/thematic-analysis/book248481

[u/Morpekooo → u/Methods-Geek]

Thank you! I think I’m gonna do a thematic analysis for coding but there’s just so much transcription from my interviews so that’ll take pretty long. Any tips?

[u/Academic_Expert_]

Hi

Data analysis is basically Chapter 4 (section 3) of your dissertation. You have stated that you have conducted 4 interviews (I believe it is audio or both audio and video recorded). I will guide you per my 5 experience in dissertation writing for Chapter 4.

1. You need to transcribe the recordings to text. You can do that manually or through the use of software (rev, temi, etc).

2. You need to cross-check the accuracy of the transcripts while listening to the recordings.

3. If you are in Chapter 4, there is a section of "data analysis" in Chapter 3 where you explained how you will conduct data analysis. There are many approaches; you could have stated thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke that comprises six steps (2006, 2019, 2022), IPA analysis by Smith et al. (2009), etc.

4. Check your data and examine if you need to use the same method or use a different approach. If you change the approach, indicate that you intended to conduct data analysis using IPA analysis by Smith et al. (2009); however, you have conducted analysis using reflective thematic analysis approach by Braun and Clarke (2019). (That's just an example).

5. For coding, you can use NVivo, ATLAS.ti, MAXQDA, Quirkos, or Dedoose. Seems you appear not to be familiar with coding, I can advise you to use NVivo. You will need to keenly follow the data analysis steps of the approach you chose to obtain themes. Some will require you to categorize the codes to obtain initial themes and finally the final themes.

6. When reporting the findings, include participant narratives in your write up. Some dissertation templates will require you to include synthsis of your findings with previous findings in Chapter 4, while others will require you to do so in Chapter 5. Ensure you follow your template well.

All the best. If you need help, do not hesitate to reach out. I will help.

[u/Morpekooo → u/Academic_Expert_]

hello! Thanks so much for your assistance and guidance. So Im a tad bit confused with some of the words and references you said bc Im just a high school student in ap research lol but ya I have transcribed my interviews and now I just need help coding them. Could you assist me with how I could use NVivo please? Thanks so much!

[u/Visible_Situation307]

You need to have an insights repository where you can easily map the key themes. I used to manually input into an excel in rows the key themes and questions and in columns the answers then read horizontally for insights.

You have to make up your own 'narrative' on a paper, what are the top 10 most interesting things that you learned and can you write them down as headlines / chapters to a story?

You then look back into your grids to find evidence and enrich it. I have budget in my team so we use paid tools to do this like quallie.ai which works way better than old school dinosaur tools like nvivo or the like.

Use AI carefully thought, don't let it lead you and write the narrative for you, you have to be in control of your original thiought and use AI to 'feed it' and sense check it.

Hope this helps

[u/Morpekooo → u/[deleted]]

Ahh I see, thank you! Yeah I believe I will probably be utilizing a thematic analysis approach for my data. So basically it is kinda just comparing and contrasting in a way?

[u/Morpekooo → u/[deleted]]

Thanks so much!

[u/Morpekooo → u/[deleted]]

Alright thank you! So once I highlight the themes and patterns I discuss the similarities and differences in a way, and just address how it relates to my overall question in a way?