An Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) with Atlas.ti Ronald J. Shope Office of Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research Presentation to SSP March 2, 2007 Atlas.ti:

2 Overview of this presentation  Review the major steps of qualitative data analysis For each step,  Introduce how it can be accomplished with the Atlas.ti software  Offer tips for how to use the software to help you complete and write up your qualitative analysis

3 1. Prepare the Data for Analysis  QDA Procedures: –Transcribe the data verbatim into Word files –Include header information  Atlas.ti: –Save documents in rich text format (Save as “rtf” in Word) and save in a specific place (the default is “Textbank) –Open a new Hermeneutic Unit (project) –Select Documents from the main menu and then click on “Assign” –Locate the location of your document then click on the first document name and hold the CTRL key will selecting the rest. When finished, click on OPEN and all of the documents will be imported at once.

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5 2. Explore the Data  QDA: –Read through all the data to get a sense of the whole –This can be done on paper or within the software –Memo your initial ideas  Atlasti: –Click on the down arrow beside the menu of the Primary documents (P-Docs) to get a list of all of the Primary Documents. menua document to view it in the Text Browser window. –Select a document to view. –Memo your initial ideas with the Memo Pad or the Doicument Comment box –You can write memos in association with any document, code, or segment of text  Tips for Applying –Create a memo (or document) related to your research procedures. Record notes on procedures and steps, including dates and reasons for each major decision. This will become the record you use to describe your data analysis methods when you write up the final report.

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7 3. Code the Data  QDA: –The process of segmenting and assigning code labels –Read a segment and ask yourself: What is the underlying meaning of this passage? Or what is the individual talking about  Atlasti: –Creating New Codes Highlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Highlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Create a code if none exists by right-clicking on the highlighted passage, select coding and then click on Open-Coding Create a code if none exists by right-clicking on the highlighted passage, select coding and then click on Open-Coding Type the new code in the box. It will then be assigned to the passage Type the new code in the box. It will then be assigned to the passage –Assigning existing codes a code by Highlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Highlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Left click on the code you want to use from the code list Left click on the code you want to use from the code list Drag and drop the code into the text Drag and drop the code into the text  Tips for Applying –Use participants’ words as codes when possible - in vivo codes –Practice lean coding codes per 20 pages –Begin with open coding, but recognize that you already have some codes in mind based on the research questions and initial review of the data. These can be created using the “Create Free Code” option under Codes. –Code for description (people, setting) and themes (the broad ideas that appear in the data) –Use the comment box under each code to drag and drop quotes into or to make comments –Use the Memo option to attach comments to your codes

8 Creating a new code Creating a new code

9 Using an existing code Using an existing code

10 4. Creating themes  QDA: –Refine your coding scheme by looking for redundant codes and by grouping similar codes together into larger theme –Review coded segments to get a sense of the different perspectives within the developing themes  Atlasti: –Click on Codes from the top menu bar and select Edit Families and click on Open Family Manager. –Create a new Code Family by clicking on Families from the Code Family main menu and click on New Family. –Name the new family. –Add codes to the family by selecting it from families that have been creates and click on the code you want to add and click on the left arrow. selecting  Tips for Applying: –Create a “Quotes” code to identify good quotes as you are completing your analysis –Develop theme tables that indicate the themes, sub-themes, and supporting evidence in the form of quotes. Use these tables to guide your write up of the themes.

11 Code Families (Themes)

12 5. Refine the coding scheme to fit your qualitative design  QDA: –Start with open coding, but always have your overall design in mind as you refine your coding and move into higher levels of coding and organization –Use the overall coding scheme that relate to your specific design  Atlas.ti: –Code Families can be used to construct the Coding Scheme –Codes can always be renamed and moved to a new position within the coding scheme  Tips for Applying: –Keep a record of how your coding scheme evolves within your research procedures memo –Use the Concept Mapping feature to visually portray and organize codes

13 Coding Approaches using Code Families  Case Study  Grounded theory

14 Visual Diagrams  Case Study  Grounded theory

15 6. Consider using quantitative information if helpful to your analysis  QDA: –Quantitative variables may augment your analysis if you want to compare themes based on some attribute or want to consider the prevalence of certain codes or themes by different groups  Atlasti: –Use Document Families to sort documents –Use the filter to show codes that relate to those documents –Use the reporting options to generate code tables

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17 7. Write up your report QDASoftware Writing Up Describe data analysis procedures Keep record of major steps as a memo or document throughout data analysis Use your record to write about the major steps in 1-2 paragraphs of your methods Organize your findings Refined coding scheme in Code System provides your organization Use major codes as your headings when writing up the findings Include multiple perspectives about each theme Retrieve coded segments based on different attributes Describe the different perspectives that emerged Include good quotes as evidence for each theme Keep Quotes in the comments box or memo associated with the code Select short passages to use as evidence for each theme. Quotes should illustrate the ideas. Long quotes can be used as a vignette introducing a case. Drag and drop quotes directly into your report Work efficiently to write up your results Have both your manuscript open in Word and Atlas.ti open as you write to compare what you are writing to the data Use visual diagrams as an outline for writing the analysis or results section of your report.