Qualitative Data Analysis: Practical Strategies

Abstract

PART ONE: PREPARING THE WAY: LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR ANALYSIS 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

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