1. Computer Aided Analysis of Qualitative Data
Social Research Methods

2. Outline Introduction Computer-aided qualitative data analysis
Grounded theory
Principles and techniques of data coding
Advantages and limitations to computer-aided qualitative data analysis
Conclusion

3. Computer-aided qualitative data analysis
Computer software for qualitative data analysis (Nvivo, ATLAS/ti, ETHNOGRAPH, NUD*ist)
software packages: ‘tools to mechanize tasks of ordering and archiving texts… for “data administration” and archiving rather than tools for “data analysis”’ (Kelle 2000: 285)
Kelle, U (2000), Computer-assisted analysis: coding and indexing, in M. Bauer and G. Gaskell (eds) Qualitative Researching with Text, Image and Sound. London: Sage, pp

4. Computer-aided qualitative data analysis and grounded theory
Computer-aided qualitative data analysis is often connected to the grounded theory approach (Strauss and Corbin):
Theoretical foundation
Principle of coding
Comparison techniques
BUT computer software for qualitative data can also be used with other forms of analysis
Computer-aided analysis and grounded theory share many of the same advantages and limitations

5. Grounded Theory: origins
Introduced by Glaser and Strauss (The Discovery of Grounded Theory, 1967):
Opposed to the testing of old theories (anti-Grand Theory and anti-positivist)
Exploratory, constant comparative method
Often used in qualitative and ethnographic studies
Generates theory inductively through analysis of empirical data
Limited role for pre-existing theory
Tends to generate middle-range theory

6. Grounded Theory:
“[It] is not really a specific method or technique. Rather, it is a style of doing qualitative analysis that includes a number of distinct features, such as the theoretical sampling, and certain methodological guidelines, such as the making of constant comparisons and the use of coding paradigm, to ensure conceptual development and density” (Strauss 1987: 5)

7. Theory generalisation: the method of constant comparison
Theoretical sampling
data collection is controlled by the emerging theory
Stages of analysis
Coding into categories
comparison of coded incidents
ideas about properties of categories
Integration of categories and their properties
interaction of properties
interaction of different categories
Theoretical saturation
no new properties or categories appear and no new interactions occur
Writing the (substantive) theory
chapter headings – categories and interactions
section headings – properties
illustrative examples – coded data
*see Seale 1999, pp

8. (Strauss and Corbin 1998, pp. 101, 110)
Key terms
Phenomena – central ideas in the data represented as concepts
Concepts – the building blocks of theory
Categories – concepts that stand for phenomena
Properties – characteristics of a categories, the delineation of which defines and gives it meaning
Subcategories – concepts that pertain to a category, giving it further clarification and specification
Memos – the researcher’s record of analysis, thoughts, interpretations, questions, and directions of further data collection
(Strauss and Corbin 1998, pp. 101, 110)

9. Coding data: Strauss and Corbin 1998
Further development of the grounded theory approach in the s.
Strauss and Corbin: three ways of coding data:
Open coding
Axial coding
Selective coding

10. Open coding
“naming and categorising phenomena through close examination of data”
broader or more comprehensive and more abstract labels
insightful labels
“borrowed” concepts
“in vivo” codes (catchy terms)
(see Strauss & Corbin 1998, p. 115)

11. Further elaboration of Open Coding (through constant comparison):
Axial Coding
“microanalysis” of a single category, exploring its conditions, contexts, action/interaction and consequences
Selective Coding
emergence of theory
selection of a single ‘core category’ (all other categories have a subsidiary role)

12. Criticisms of Grounded Theory
Inductive vs. deductive?
presence of theory before data collection and testing theory in the course of research (e.g. research question, researcher’s training, etc)
Data dependency
High risk of superficial strategies
Critique from postmodernism
the narrow analytic strategy – heavy reliance on coding
standardized and mechanistic procedures
fragmented and decontextualized data
single, exclusive interpretation of data (researcher’s control over data and analysis)
non-reflexive approach (relational nature of the qualitative research is not acknowledged)

13. Advantages of computer-aided qualitative data analysis
Efficient, save time, assist the management of larger samples, good for research teams
Can make the research process more systematic and explicit, which makes it seem more valid or trustworthy
Can enhance the researcher’s creativity, by allowing more time to experiment and play with the data
(Kelle 2000, pp )

14. Limitations of computer-aided qualitative data analysis
Can become overwhelmed by larger samples and the wider volume of data that the software can technically manage.
Larger samples and more software tools/functions does not necessarily make the research more valid.
Could potentially alienate researchers from their data and impose methodological approaches (ie. grounded theory) which overemphasise coding and neglect other forms of textual analysis.
(Kelle 2000, p. 294)

15. Conclusion
Computer aided qualitative data analysis shares many advantages and disadvantages with grounded theory.
BUT these software packages are primary tools to assist with qualitative research and can also help facilitate different forms and methods of qualitative analysis.
Helpful to think about two different modes of coding (Kelle 2000, p. 295):
referential, as signposts to certain text passages (open, inductive and interpretive)
factual (more deductive and related to classic content analysis)