1. Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation Dr. Bill Bauer
Chapter 9
Qualitative Data Analysis and Interpretation
Dr. Bill Bauer l

2. Key Ideas Prepare and organize the data for analysis Explore the data
Describe and develop the themes from the data
Represent and report the findings
Interpret the findings
Validate the accuracy and credibility of the findings l

3. The Qualitative Process of Data Analysis
Codes the Text for
Description to be Used
in the Research Report
Codes the Text for
Description to be Used
in the Research Report
The Researcher Codes the Data (i.e., locates text
segments and assigns a code to label them)
Interactive
Simultaneous
The Researcher Reads Through Data
( i.e., obtains general sense of material)
The Researcher Prepares Data for analysis
( e.g., transcribes fieldnotes)
The Researcher Collects Data (i.e., a text file, such as
fieldnotes, transcriptions, optically scanned material) l

4. Prepare and Organize the Data
Develop a matrix or table of sources that can be used to organize the material
Organize material by type
Keep duplicate copies of materials
Transcribe data
Prepare data for hand or computer analysis l

5. Explore Data
Obtain a general sense of the data by performing a preliminary exploratory analysis
Memo ideas
Think about the organization of the data
Consider whether more data are needed l

6. A Visual Model of the Coding Process in Qualitative Research
Initially read
through data
Divide text
into segments
of information
Label
segments of
information
with codes
Reduce
Overlap and
redundancy
of codes
Collapse
codes into
themes
Many
Pages
of Text
Many
Segments
of Text
Codes
reduced
to 20
30-40
codes
Reduce Codes to
5-7 Themes l

7. Describe the Setting and Develop Themes
Themes address the major research questions
Procedures
Code text (or image) data
Develop a description from the data
Define themes from the data
Connect and interpret themes l

8. Report and Represent Finding: Constructing Narratives
Identify dialogue that supports themes
Look for dialogue in the participants’ native language
Use metaphors and analogies l

9. Report and Represent Finding: Constructing Narratives
Collect quotes
Identify vivid data that describes an individual, event, or activity
Identify tensions and contradictions in individual experiences l

10. Report and Represent Finding: Providing Visual Data Displays
Create a visual image of the information in a “comparison” table
Depict physical layout of the setting
Describe personal or demographic information for each person or site l

11. Interpret Findings Interpretation is not neutral
Personally reflect about the meaning of the data
Compare and contrast personal viewpoints with the literature
Address limitations of the study
Make suggestions for future research l

12. Validating the Accuracy of the Findings
Member checking: Members check the accuracy of the account
Triangulation: Using corroborating evidence
External: Hiring the services of an individual outside the study to review the study l