Analysis of qualitative data India FETP

Competency to be gained from this lecture Appreciate the complexity of the analysis of qualitative data

Outline Principle of analysis of qualitative data Analysis of focus groups Enhancing the quality of the analysis Writing the report

The interpretative nature of qualitative research Critical issues  Self-as-instrument for data collection, analysis and reporting  Lack of guidelines for data analysis Possible answers  Document biases, feelings and personal experience of the investigator  Explicit descriptions attesting the fidelity of implementation of recommended procedures Analysis principles

Main pitfall in qualitative data analysis Temptation  Impressions on the basis of the initial review of notes and tapes  Quick move to written summary Blur the distinction between  What was observed, heard or read (raw data)  Patterns and theme discerned (Interpretation ) Analysis principles

Activities in qualitative data analysis Data reduction  Selecting, focusing, simplifying, abstracting and transforming data Data display  Presenting data in an organized manner to help understand what is occurring Conclusion drawing and verification  Noting regularities, patterns, explanations tested for plausibility, robustness and validity Analysis principles

Qualitative analysis plan Lists research questions Indicates which data collection technique provided relevant information Analysis principles

Example of a qualitative analysis plan In depth interview with field supervisor Focus group with scholars Observation of learning activities What learning technique is most effective? ++ What obstacles prevent scholars from being more active in the field? ++ Analysis principles

Focus group analysis Overview of group data Content analysis Deviant case analysis Focus group analysis

Overview of group data Table format List the proportion of groups raising a subject or concern  Should not be mistaken for a quantitative analysis  Does not capture how much an issue was stressed  Does not specify the context More in-depth analysis is needed Focus group analysis

Summarized overview of group data for FETP focus groups ScholarsGraduatesState supervisors Contact sessions too academic 2/51/40/5 Lack of field supervision 3/53/4N/A Need of technical support for outbreaks 1/52/45/5

Techniques in content analysis Transcript analysis with coding Group analysis with synthetic table Focus group analysis

Transcript analysis with coding Reading of the notes / transcripts Issues colour or letter coded Notes or colours flag issues in the transcript  Blue, red, green  A, B, C Sub-categories possible: A1, A2 etc… Focus group analysis

Group analysis with synthetic table Use of a table format Lines:  List of groups Columns  Issues Filling the table:  Summary of the conclusion of the interview  Meaning and intention of respondents Focus group analysis

Summarized example of table content analysis for FETP focus groups Contact sessions Field experience Outbreaks FG1: Scholars state A Highly technical Too complex No supervision Contrast with class teaching Little support from faculty Tools useful FG2: Scholars state B Well framed Good teaching Xerox needed Local supervisor does not help with epi Need support to address political pressure FG3: Scholars state C Lectures useful More case studies needed More academic input is needed in the field Connectivity would improve supervision Focus group analysis

Advantage of synthetic table Systematic Stimulates collective discussion Fast Facilitates  Syntheses  Conclusions Focus group analysis

Reviewing content Identify similarities Spot differences Find the causes for similarities and differences Interpret in relation to the objectives of the study Focus group analysis

Ethnographic summary Repeated open minded readings of the transcripts Search for underlying meaning of emergent themes Beyond count of occurrences Focus group analysis

Deviant case analysis Identify deviants  Positive  Negative Conduct in-depth interview Focus group analysis

Computer software for qualitative data analysis Stages of use Note taking Transcribing Coding Content analyzing Data display Report writing Types of packages Text retrievers Textbase managers Code retrieve programmes Code base theory builders Conceptual network builders Focus group analysis

Pro and cons of qualitative data analysis computer software Strengths Speed up tasks Allow more complex tasks Allow consistency and comprehensiveness Weaknesses Do not conduct the qualitative analysis Cannot be a substitute for training of the investigator Require new learning Focus group analysis

Enhancing the quality of the analysis Testing rival explanations Examining negative cases  May broaden, change or cast doubts on the rule Triangulation Quality of analysis

Triangulation Term taken from land surveying No single method adequately solves the problem of rival explanations Guard against systematic biases Several triangulations  Methods  Sources  Analyst  Theory Quality of analysis

Triangulation of methods Compare data collected using different methods  Qualitative  Quantitative Focus on what is learned by the degree of convergence Form of comparative analysis Quality of analysis

Triangulation of data sources Possible sources of data to compare  Observations with interviews  What is said in public and in private  What is said over time  Perspective of different persons Doctors, nurses, patients The point is to understand the difference, not to achieve convergence Quality of analysis

Triangulation of analysts Uses multiple observers / analysts Use those who were studied to review the findings Control for:  Selective perception  Interpretative bias Quality of analysis

Triangulation of theories Use different interpretation framework:  Behaviours  Psycho-analytical Understand how findings are affected by different:  Assumptions  Fundamental premises Quality of analysis

Adapting the report to the audience Identify audiences  Health planners  Policy makers  Media  Funders  Population Tailor the format of the report to the action you expect Report

The report Concise Summarizes main conclusions Highlights differences and similarities Contains examples and quotes Addresses the objectives of the research Includes an executive summary Recommendations:  Identifies areas for further research  Spells out action points Report

Take home message Systematic approaches may help address the subjective nature of qualitative data analysis Code, display and formulate conclusions Triangulate to check hypotheses Adapt the report to the various audiences to promote recommendations