Computer Research Tool Ethnograph v5.0

What is Ethnograph v5.0 ?  A kind of Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software  helps researcher to compile, organize and manipulate data  facilitates researcher analytic process

1. Creating projects  Project : is a list of data files that you want to treat as a group  Child project : is entirely option; To create a project (1 min)(1 min)

2. Entering qualitative data (e.g. interviews)  the text editor allows researcher to type in text manually.  It also automatically imports, numbers and adds the data file to the project. To create a data file using the Ethnograph Editor (1 min 30 sec)(1 min 30 sec)

3. Entering qualitative data (cont’d) To create a data file using the Word Processor (e.g. MS-word) (2 mins)(2 mins)  another method is to import from frequently used sources, e.g. ms-word files and re-format to suit Ethnograph’s use

4. Two ways of Coding/Classifying Quick codes and Code Sets To Enter the Code words using code sets & quick codes (2 mins) (2 mins)  researcher has to make subjective judgment of coding keyword for future analysis

5. Editing code book definition and family tree  researcher can define the code words and view the entire relationship of the code book family tree Editing the Code book & creating a code family tree (1 min)(1 min)

6. Applying the coding for other data files To use either Master List or Family Tree to Enter Codes (3 mins)(3 mins)  Researcher can use both master list or family tree to enter codes for parts of interview clippings

7. Conducting a single code and multiple code searches  Researcher can use one single/multiple code/key word to search for data files containing the segment/paragraphs where the code words appear, this is helpful when there are large amount of qualitative data How to start a single and multiple searches with “Search” (1min 30 sec)(1min 30 sec)

Searching for single code

Searching for multiple codes This multiple code search is to search for code words that are overlapping each other. Important sometimes for researcher to do a Boolean “AND” search on two code words

Conducting a single code and multiple code searches (cont’d) -Results generated : -Extract of the content of segment where the code word appears -Total number of segments where the code word appears and display on screen -Which data file does the code word belong to (e.g. interview with Group1, pointed out by subject, e.g. a female student studying Geology) -Whether the code word has been marked previously for future reference -Also indicates the line of code words on the data files and whether there are nested segments

8. Creating memos To record their thoughts into the data file (2 mins)(2 mins) Memo could be attached to segment attached to file attached to a search output

9. Creating Face Sheets  Create a Face Template, enter variables  Enter Face Sheet values for different groups of subject  Face Sheet is about an entire data file How to create Face Sheet template (1 min)(1 min)

10. Creating Identifier Sheets How to create Identifier Sheet Template (1 min)(1 min)  Create a Identifier Sheet Template, enter variables  Enter values for different individuals  Id sheet is a set of information about particular sections or subjects within a file

11. Using Face Sheets as Search Filters  Enter Face Sheet conditions, e.g. from Public school, has not changed subject major  Enter code words, e.g. DARWIN  Ethnograph will search all files to yield result How to use Face Sheet as Search Filters (1 min)(1 min)

12. Using Id Sheets as Search Filters How to Use Identifier Sheets as Search Filters (1 min)  Enter Id Sheet conditions, e.g. parents’ income (between $35,000 and $99999 and level of education = “college” as the parameters  Enter search code words, e.g. DARWIN  Ethnograph will search all files to yield result

Results generated Results generated may be no match Depends on the search filter/criteria of the researcher and the match with the interview subject

Comments about Ethnograph Pros  comprehensive and easy to learn within relatively short period of time  Generates results from large set of data files in a short period time  some steps/format need to be followed, yet this is common for all other QDA tools Cons  could not help researchers to think/analyze  still rely on human intelligence to generate the search queries/hypotheses/theory