Full Description
Are you new to qualitative research? Are you planning to do interviews or focus groups and wondering what on earth you'll do with the data once it's collected? Do you have a pile of transcripts staring at you right now and are you lost as to how to identify themes, code your data and work out what it all means?Fear not, help is here! In this brilliant new book, Jamie Harding breaks down the process of analysing qualitative data into simple, retraceable steps. After providing some top tips for designing your research and collecting your data, he takes you through the different stages of analysis, from the first reading of your transcripts, to presenting your findings in a report or dissertation. For each stage of the process there are demonstrations using real data and exercises for you to perform yourself. He unpicks what happens behind the scenes in qualitative data analysis - the bit that's hard to learn without seeing it happen and trying it for yourself. While acknowledging that there are many different forms that qualitative data analysis can take, the book provides a series of ideas and examples that you will find invaluable when analysing your own data. This book is perfect for all social science students who are struggling with data analysis and are looking for someone to guide the way.
Contents
Introduction Structure of the BookThe Interviews and the Focus GroupIntroduction to Data AnalysisValidityDefinitionsBeginning the StudyIntroductionQualitative and Quantitative ResearchMixed MethodsCritical ResearchInduction and DeductionResearch DesignsSamplingNegotiating AccessMaximising ResponseForms of Collection DataEthical IssuesSummaryFurther ReadingCollecting and Managing Interview and Focus Group Data IntroductionDistinctive Features of Qualitative InterviewsTypes of Qualitative InterviewModes of Data CollectionQualities of the Qualitative InterviewerPlanning the Interview and the Interview GuideUnplanned ProbesPlanning a Focus GroupModerating a Focus GroupPiloting for Interviews and Focus GroupsRecording and Transcription of INterview and Focus Group DataSummaryFurther ReadingFirst Stages of Analyzing Interview Data - Making Summaries and Making ComparisonsIntroductionSummarising InterviewsSummarising Interviews: ExamplesSummarising Interviews: ExerciseThe Constant Comparative MethodReaching Findings Using the Constant Comparative MethodSummaryFurther Reading Using Codes to Analyse an Illustrative IssueStep 1: Identifying Initial Categories Based on Reading the TranscriptsStep 2: Writing Codes Alongside the TranscriptsStep 3: Reviewing the List of Codes, Revising the List of Categories and Deciding Which Codes Should Appear in Which CategoryComplete List of Codes Used in Relation to Reflective PracticeStep 4: Looking for Themes and Findings in Each CategorySummaryFurther Reading Identifying Conceptual Themes and Building TheoryCharacteristics of Conceptual ThemesTwo Helpful Tools for Identifying Conceptual ThemesAnalysing a Conceptual Theme Step by StepSummaryFurther ReadingAlternative Approaches to Analyzing Qualitative Data IntroductionDeductive Coding and AnalysisNarrative AnalysisComputer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS)SummaryFurther ReadingAnalyzing Focus Group DataIntroduction Individual Data AnalysisGroup Data AnalysisAvoiding Reaching Findings that Lack ValidityGroup Interaction Data AnalysisCombining Analysis of the 'How' and the 'What'SummaryFurther ReadingWriting about Research (1) - Methodology and FindingsIntroductionChecking ValidityReflexivityThe Methodology SectionWriting About Qualitative FindingsSummaryFurther ReadingWriting about Research (2)- Making Links to the LiteratureIntroductionThe Literature ReviewThe Role of the ConclusionAn Example - Writing the Literature Search and Conclusion in Relation to Student EmploymentSummmaryFurther Reading
