An Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis QDA with Atlas'ti

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An Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis
(QDA) with Atlas.ti

• Ronald J. Shope
• Office of Qualitative Mixed Methods Research
• Presentation to SSP March 2, 2007
• Atlas.ti http//www.atlasti.com/

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Overview of this presentation

• Review the major steps of qualitative data
  analysis
• For each step,
• Introduce how it can be accomplished with the
  Atlas.ti software
• Offer tips for how to use the software to help
  you complete and write up your qualitative
  analysis

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1. Prepare the Data for Analysis

• QDA Procedures
• Transcribe the data verbatim into Word files
• Include header information
• Atlas.ti
• Save documents in rich text format (Save as rtf
  in Word) and save in a specific place (the
  default is Textbank)
• Open a new Hermeneutic Unit (project)
• Select Documents from the main menu and then
  click on Assign
• Locate the location of your document then click
  on the first document name and hold the CTRL key
  will selecting the rest. When finished, click on
  OPEN and all of the documents will be imported at
  once.

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2. Explore the Data

• QDA
• Read through all the data to get a sense of the
  whole
• This can be done on paper or within the software
• Memo your initial ideas
• Atlasti
• Click on the down arrow beside the menu of the
  Primary documents (P-Docs) to get a list of all
  of the Primary Documents. menua document to view
  it in the Text Browser window.
• Select a document to view.
• Memo your initial ideas with the Memo Pad or the
  Doicument Comment box
• You can write memos in association with any
  document, code, or segment of text
• Tips for Applying
• Create a memo (or document) related to your
  research procedures. Record notes on procedures
  and steps, including dates and reasons for each
  major decision. This will become the record you
  use to describe your data analysis methods when
  you write up the final report.

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3. Code the Data

• QDA
• The process of segmenting and assigning code
  labels
• Read a segment and ask yourself What is the
  underlying meaning of this passage? Or what is
  the individual talking about
• Atlasti
• Creating New Codes
• Highlight the text to be coded in the Text
  Browser
• Create a code if none exists by right-clicking on
  the highlighted passage, select coding and then
  click on Open-Coding
• Type the new code in the box. It will then be
  assigned to the passage
• Assigning existing codes a code by
• Highlight the text to be coded in the Text
  Browser
• Left click on the code you want to use from the
  code list
• Drag and drop the code into the text
• Tips for Applying
• Use participants words as codes when possible -
  in vivo codes
• Practice lean coding - 10-15 codes per 20 pages
• Begin with open coding, but recognize that you
  already have some codes in mind based on the
  research questions and initial review of the
  data. These can be created using the Create
  Free Code option under Codes.
• Code for description (people, setting) and themes
  (the broad ideas that appear in the data)
• Use the comment box under each code to drag and
  drop quotes into or to make comments

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Creating a new code
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Using an existing code
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4. Creating themes

• QDA
• Refine your coding scheme by looking for
  redundant codes and by grouping similar codes
  together into larger theme
• Review coded segments to get a sense of the
  different perspectives within the developing
  themes
• Atlasti
• Click on Codes from the top menu bar and select
  Edit Families and click on Open Family Manager.
• Create a new Code Family by clicking on Families
  from the Code Family main menu and click on New
  Family.
• Name the new family.
• Add codes to the family by selecting it from
  families that have been creates and click on the
  code you want to add and click on the left arrow.
  selecting
• Tips for Applying
• Create a Quotes code to identify good quotes as
  you are completing your analysis
• Develop theme tables that indicate the themes,
  sub-themes, and supporting evidence in the form
  of quotes. Use these tables to guide your write
  up of the themes.

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CodeFamilies (Themes)
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5. Refine the coding scheme to fit your
qualitative design

• QDA
• Start with open coding, but always have your
  overall design in mind as you refine your coding
  and move into higher levels of coding and
  organization
• Use the overall coding scheme that relate to your
  specific design
• Atlas.ti
• Code Families can be used to construct the Coding
  Scheme
• Codes can always be renamed and moved to a new
  position within the coding scheme
• Tips for Applying
• Keep a record of how your coding scheme evolves
  within your research procedures memo
• Use the Concept Mapping feature to visually
  portray and organize codes

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Coding Approaches using Code Families

• Case Study

• Grounded theory

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Visual Diagrams

• Case Study

• Grounded theory

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6. Consider using quantitative information if
helpful to your analysis

• QDA
• Quantitative variables may augment your analysis
  if you want to compare themes based on some
  attribute or want to consider the prevalence of
  certain codes or themes by different groups
• Atlasti
• Use Document Families to sort documents
• Use the filter to show codes that relate to those
  documents
• Use the reporting options to generate code tables

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7. Write up your report