Working with Qualitative Data Recounting a Collective Story from your Woksape Oyate Project Nancy M. Lucero, Ph.D., LCSW

4-Step Qualitative Inquiry Process 1. Collect data (interviews, observations, documents, surveys) 2. Notice patterns and themes in what you have collected

4-Step Qualitative Inquiry Process 3. Consider the meanings and importance of the patterns and themes 4. Recount the story held in the collective data

Qualitative Inquiry Process

Collecting Qualitative Data u Interviews, surveys, focus groups u Documents (reports, letters, s, committee minutes) u Notes of observations (meetings, events, classes, and other gatherings) u Pictures, video, songs and lyrics, other multimedia

Noticing Patterns and Themes u Read through all data to get a general sense of the whole  Begin to “ notice things ”— what stands out?  Highlight and name these things ( “ coding ” ) u Sort and group what you have named

Considering the Meaning uThink and reflect on the relationship of the themes to such areas as: your WO project goals, objectives, and intended outcomes changes in institutional capacity to accomplish its mission how participants ’ are affected by involvement in project activities (as related to institutional capacity)

Considering the Meaning  Determine ways that the patterns and themes can create a deeper understanding of the impact of your WO project uDecide what you want to share and how you want to recount the story uConsider return on the funder’s investment and potential to influence future donations

Exercise: Working with Qualitative Data u Identifying patterns and themes in the stories of three TCU students u Describing or defining the themes u Considering the audience and the story that needs to be told

Have Fun! u Enjoy sharing the story! u Mv do!