Qualitative data analysis: practical strategies

Foundations for Thinking and Working Qualitatively
Thinking Qualitatively

Thinking Methods (and methodology)

Working Qualitatively

Working Qualitatively - Using Software

Foundations for Working Qualitatively

Working Qualitatively: Implications for Analysis

Writing About Foundations

Exercises

Further Reading

Designing for Analysis
Design-giving Form to Ideas

Focusing the Study

Designing for Data That Can Be Analysed

Planning for Quality and Credibility of Conclusions

Putting It All Together

Writing About Design

Exercises

Further reading

Managing and Preparing Data for Analysis
Before Data Collection

Keeping Organised, Available and Usable Data Records

Recording and Preparing Data for Analysis

The Importance of Context

Recording Sample Details for Analysis

Checks and Balances for Data

Managing Relationships in the Research Team

Writing About Data Management

Exercises


PART TWO: WORKING WITH DATA: A PATHWAY INTO ANALYSIS
Read, Reflect and Connect: Initial Explorations of Data
Read, and Read Again

Write As You Read

Purposeful Play-preliminary Explorations of Each Data Source

Explore the Storylines

Exploring Context

Identify Relevant Categories and Concepts

Involving Participants in Early Analysis

Re-focus, Ready For the Next Phase

Writing About Preliminary Analysis

Exercises

Further reading

Codes and Coding: Principles and Practice
Using Codes to Work With Data

Practical Tools for Coding

Methods Decisions in Coding

Issues of Validity and Reliability in Coding

Managing the Process of Coding

A Final Reminder - Codes and Coding in Context

Writing About Coding Processes

Exercise

Further reading

Naming, Organizing and Refining Codes
What's in a Name?

Naming Broad Topic Areas

Naming Codes to Capture Substance and Meaning

Automating Coding

Developing a Coding System

Reviewing and Refining Codes and the Coding Structure

Writing About Codes

Exercise - Generating Codes

Further Reading

Alternative Approaches to Breaking Open and Connecting Data
Building on Cases

Themes as an Alternative to Codes?

Focus on Interaction - Working With Focus Group Data

Focus on Stories and Accounts - Identifying Structure, Interpreting Meaning

Focus on Discourse - The Intersubjective Space

The Value of Case-based Approaches

Writing About Your Use of Case-based, Thematic and Narrative Methods

Exercises

Further Reading


PART THREE: DESCRIBE, COMPARE AND RELATE: MOVING ON FROM CODES AND THEMES
Describing, Evolving and Theorizing Concepts
Describing Categories and Concepts (or themes) as a Step in Analysis

Evolving Concepts with Analytic, Meta- or Pattern Codes

Theorising Concepts

Writing About Describing and Analysing Concepts

Exercises

Further Reading

Comparative Analyses as a Means of Furthering Analysis
Why Compare?

The Comparative Process

Managing Data to Make Subgroup, Contextual or Case Comparisons

Comparing Concepts or Categories Across Groups or Situations

Comparing Cases

Interpreting Comparative Analyses

Writing About Comparisons

Exercises

Further Reading

Relational Analyses
Coding and Connecting Working Together

Investigating Relational Patterns

Cross-case Analyses

Identifying Patterns of Association Between Sets of Related Phenomena, Using Coded Data

Relating Data to a Theoretical Model

Investigating Relationships Between Specific Categories and Concepts

Writing About Exploring and Testing Relationships in Data

Exercises

Further Reading


PART FOUR: BRINGING IT TOGETHER - MOVING TOWARD CLIMAX AND CLOSURE
If… Then… Is It Because? Developing Explanatory Models and Theories
Analytic Progression

Explanatory Theory as a Goal of Research

Foundations for Explanatory Theory

Logic-based Questioning - Finding the Major Premise

Puzzle-solving with "Conjectures and Refutations"

Case-based Strategies

Theoretical Development and Integration in Grounded Theory

Visual Tools for Theory-Building

Writing About Your Developing Theory

Further Reading

Developing Coherent Understanding
Coherent Understanding?

Coherence Through Description

Theoretical Coherence

Coherence Through Display

A Collection of Tips and Tricks for Bringing it Together

Writing About Developing Coherence

Further Reading

Defending and Extending: Issues of Quality and Significance
The Issue of Quality

Generalisation / Transferability

Theoretical Extension

Audiences and Representation

A Final Reflection

Writing About Quality and Significance

Exercises

Further Reading

After-Words

Written by an experienced researcher in the field of qualitative methods, this dynamic new book provides a definitive introduction to analysing qualitative data.

It is a clear, accessible and practical guide to each stage of the process, including:

- Designing and managing qualitative data for analysis

- Working with data through interpretive, comparative, pattern and relational analyses

- Developing explanatory theory and coherent conclusions, based on qualitative data.

The book pairs theoretical discussion with practical advice using a host of examples from diverse projects across the social sciences. It describes data analysis strategies in actionable steps and helpfully links to the use of computer software where relevant.

This is an exciting new addition to the literature on qualitative data analysis and a must-read for anyone who has collected, or is preparing to collect, their own data.