For "Sorters"
Qualitative Data analysis support
The SSDL supports researchers using qualitative data with consulting in the use of qualitative data analysis software. Currently, we support Atlas.ti. We are also serving as coordinator for efforts to create a Qualitative Data User Group and to provide other support services such as links to resources on the internet and conferences for qualitative data analysts.
Who should use qualitative data analysis software?
- Anyone doing content analysis:
- texts,
- transcripts from focus groups,
- interviews,
- open-ended questions on surveys,
- etc;
- Researchers analyzing other media:
- images,
- audio content, and
- video content
Qualitative Brown Bag Lunch Series
Brown Bag Qualitative Method Discussion Group: We invite you to participate in a series of Brown Bag Discussions for Qualitative researchers. Past meetings have discussed the problems of figuring out how to use grounded theory in the real world, and analyzed how researchers decide what to include in field notes and analytic memos and how the notes are used in the larger study. In our March 15th meeting, we plan to address the role of the research question when employing grounded theory as a guide for qualitative research. To join this discussion group, email Mary Jenkins.
Past Meeting Topics and Descriptions:
Topic: Sampling Approaches in Qualitative Research Projects
Held Thursday, April 24th,2008 at 10:15 am in Tuttleman 300 AB:
Qualitative researchers can choose from a wide array of sampling approaches that vary according to their methodological goals, rigor, and practicality. Some of the most well-known sampling approaches include maximum variation sampling, theoretical sampling, convenience sampling, extreme or deviant case sampling, opportunistic or emergent sampling and snowball sampling. Random purposeful sampling, stratified purposeful sampling, criterion sampling and matched sampling are also frequently used in mixed-methods research projects. The process of deciding how a qualitative researcher is going to identify potential respondents for his or her study is a critical part of the research design process. However, sampling approaches are rarely described in a concrete, detailed fashion in research reports and grant proposals, which is a frequent criticism of qualitative research projects that can influence funding decisions and opportunities for publication in leading journals. This discussion will focus on the practical implications of different approaches to selecting potential respondents and the methodological and theoretical importance of sampling for qualitative research projects. In particular, the meeting will feature two complementary components: a case study examination of a research project that aims to utilize a matched sample of two hard-to-reach populations, former and active offenders and a group discussion on frequently asked questions about sampling such as “How many respondents are enough?” and “What are the best ways to identify suitable informants?.”
Different Conceptions of Qualitative Research
Held Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 2:30 in Anderson 1221.
The term “qualitative research” is used in different ways by different people, although three broad classes of usage can be determined. For some researchers, qualitative research is only distinguished from quantitative research by the form of the data used; for others, qualitative research is a form of knowledge acquisition with its own procedures and standards which exist as a complement to quantitative research; for still others, qualitative research is based upon a value system, world view, and underlying philosophy that are incommensurable with the foundations of quantitative research. This meeting will focus on issues that arise in various areas of scholarly activity (e.g., graduate student advising, dissertation committees, journal standards) from these multiple uses of one and the same term.
Past Brown Bag Lunch Series Meeting Notes
May 4, 2007 Meeting Notes (Topic: Coding Exercise)
April 2, 2007 Meeting Notes (Topic: Reliability and validity in qualitative work)
March 15, 2007 Meeting Notes (Topic: What do you include in field notes?)
January 3, 2007 Meeting Notes (Topic: Operationalization of grounded theory -- includes follow-up discussion online)
October 25, 2006 Meeting Notes (Topic: Introductions; suggested topics for future meetings)
QDUG: The Qualitative Data Users Group Online
An ad hoc user group for researchers using qualitative data has been established to enhance the University's support for this type of research, and to share information on techniques and results. If you are interested in participating in this group, email the SSDL.
Meeting minutes March 21, 2005
Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis Courses at Temple University
The information available at the link above was compiled in spring of 2002, but it should still provide some relevant guidance about qualitative methods courses at Temple.
Qualitative Data Analysis Software Links
For more information about qualitative data analysis software click on the following links:
- A primer on qualitative data analysis software (Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software -- CAQDAS),
- Analysis of predominant qualitative data analysis software packages (including links to the software sites, and a bibliography of journal articles reviewing the software and its capabilities).