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

Ronald J. ShopeRonald J. Shope

Office of Qualitative & Mixed Methods ResearchOffice of Qualitative & Mixed Methods Research

Presentation to SSP March 2, 2007 Presentation to SSP March 2, 2007

Atlas.ti: http://www.atlasti.com/Atlas.ti: http://www.atlasti.com/

22

Overview of this presentationOverview of this presentation

Review the major steps of qualitative Review the major steps of qualitative data analysisdata analysis

For each step, For each step, Introduce how it can be accomplished Introduce how it can be accomplished with the Atlas.ti softwarewith the Atlas.ti software

Offer tips for how to use the software Offer tips for how to use the software to help you complete and write up your to help you complete and write up your qualitative analysisqualitative analysis

33

1. Prepare the Data for Analysis1. Prepare the Data for Analysis

QDA Procedures:QDA Procedures:– Transcribe the data verbatim into Word filesTranscribe the data verbatim into Word files– Include header informationInclude header information

Atlas.ti:Atlas.ti:– Save documents in rich text format (Save as Save documents in rich text format (Save as “rtf” in Word) and save in a specific place “rtf” in Word) and save in a specific place (the default is “Textbank)(the default is “Textbank)

– Open a new Hermeneutic Unit (project)Open a new Hermeneutic Unit (project)– Select Documents from the main menu and then Select Documents from the main menu and then click on “Assign” click on “Assign”

– Locate the location of your document then Locate the location of your document then click on the first document name and hold the click on the first document name and hold the CTRL key will selecting the rest. When CTRL key will selecting the rest. When finished, click on OPEN and all of the finished, click on OPEN and all of the documents will be imported at once. documents will be imported at once.

44

55

2. Explore the Data2. Explore the Data

QDA:QDA:– Read through all the data to get a sense of the wholeRead through all the data to get a sense of the whole– This can be done on paper or within the softwareThis can be done on paper or within the software– Memo your initial ideasMemo your initial ideas

Atlasti:Atlasti:– Click on the down arrow beside the menu of the Primary Click on the down arrow beside the menu of the Primary

documents (P-Docs) to get a list of all 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 Documents. menua document to view it in the Text Browser window.window.

– Select a document to view. Select a document to view. – Memo your initial ideas with the Memo Pad or the Doicument Memo your initial ideas with the Memo Pad or the Doicument

Comment boxComment box– You can write memos in association with any document, code, or You can write memos in association with any document, code, or

segment of textsegment of text

Tips for ApplyingTips for Applying– Create a memo (or document) related to your research Create a memo (or document) related to your research

procedures. Record notes on procedures and steps, including procedures. Record notes on procedures and steps, including dates and reasons for each major decision. This will become dates and reasons for each major decision. This will become the record you use to describe your data analysis methods when the record you use to describe your data analysis methods when you write up the final report.you write up the final report.

66

77

3. Code the Data3. Code the Data QDA:QDA:

– The process of segmenting and assigning code labels The process of segmenting and assigning code labels – Read a segment and ask yourself: What is the underlying meaning Read a segment and ask yourself: What is the underlying meaning

of this passage? Or what is the individual talking aboutof this passage? Or what is the individual talking about

Atlasti:Atlasti:– Creating New CodesCreating New Codes

Highlight the text to be coded in the Text BrowserHighlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Create a code if none exists by right-clicking on the highlighted Create a code if none exists by right-clicking on the highlighted

passage, select coding and then click on Open-Codingpassage, select coding and then click on Open-Coding Type the new code in the box. It will then be assigned to the passageType the new code in the box. It will then be assigned to the passage

– Assigning existing codes a code byAssigning existing codes a code by Highlight the text to be coded in the Text BrowserHighlight the text to be coded in the Text Browser Left click on the code you want to use from the code listLeft click on the code you want to use from the code list Drag and drop the code into the textDrag and drop the code into the text

Tips for ApplyingTips for Applying– Use participants’ words as codes when possible - in vivo codesUse participants’ words as codes when possible - in vivo codes– Practice lean coding - 10-15 codes per 20 pagesPractice lean coding - 10-15 codes per 20 pages– Begin with open coding, but recognize that you already have some codes in 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 mind based on the research questions and initial review of the data. These can be created using the “Create Free Code” option under Codes.can be created using the “Create Free Code” option under Codes.

– Code for description (people, setting) and themes (the broad ideas that Code for description (people, setting) and themes (the broad ideas that appear in the data)appear in the data)

– Use the comment box under each code to drag and drop quotes into or to make Use the comment box under each code to drag and drop quotes into or to make commentscomments

– Use the Memo option to attach comments to your codesUse the Memo option to attach comments to your codes

88

Creating a new codeCreating a new code

99

Using an existing codeUsing an existing code

1010

4. Creating themes4. Creating themes

QDA:QDA:– Refine your coding scheme by looking for redundant codes and by Refine your coding scheme by looking for redundant codes and by

grouping similar codes together into larger themegrouping similar codes together into larger theme– Review coded segments to get a sense of the different perspectives Review coded segments to get a sense of the different perspectives

within the developing themeswithin the developing themes

Atlasti:Atlasti:– Click on Codes from the top menu bar and select Edit Families and Click on Codes from the top menu bar and select Edit Families and

click on Open Family Manager. click on Open Family Manager. – Create a new Code Family by clicking on Families from the Code Family Create a new Code Family by clicking on Families from the Code Family

main menu and click on New Family.main menu and click on New Family.– Name the new family.Name the new family.– Add codes to the family by selecting it from families that have been 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 creates and click on the code you want to add and click on the left arrow. selecting arrow. selecting

Tips for Applying:Tips for Applying:– Create a “Quotes” code to identify good quotes as you are completing Create a “Quotes” code to identify good quotes as you are completing

your analysisyour analysis– Develop theme tables that indicate the themes, sub-themes, and Develop theme tables that indicate the themes, sub-themes, and

supporting evidence in the form of quotes. Use these tables to guide supporting evidence in the form of quotes. Use these tables to guide your write up of the themes.your write up of the themes.

1111

CodeCodeFamilies Families (Themes)(Themes)

1212

5. Refine the coding scheme to 5. Refine the coding scheme to fit your qualitative designfit your qualitative design

QDA:QDA:– Start with open coding, but always have your Start with open coding, but always have your

overall design in mind as you refine your coding overall design in mind as you refine your coding and move into higher levels of coding and and move into higher levels of coding and organizationorganization

– Use the overall coding scheme that relate to your Use the overall coding scheme that relate to your specific designspecific design

Atlas.ti:Atlas.ti:– Code Families can be used to construct the Coding Code Families can be used to construct the Coding

SchemeScheme– Codes can always be renamed and moved to a new Codes can always be renamed and moved to a new

position within the coding schemeposition within the coding scheme

Tips for Applying:Tips for Applying:– Keep a record of how your coding scheme evolves Keep a record of how your coding scheme evolves

within your research procedures memowithin your research procedures memo– Use the Concept Mapping feature to visually portray Use the Concept Mapping feature to visually portray

and organize codesand organize codes

1313

Coding Approaches using Code FamiliesCoding Approaches using Code Families

Case StudyCase Study Grounded theoryGrounded theory

1414

Visual DiagramsVisual Diagrams

Case StudyCase Study Grounded theoryGrounded theory

1515

6. Consider using quantitative 6. Consider using quantitative information if helpful to your information if helpful to your analysisanalysis

QDA:QDA:– Quantitative variables may augment your analysis Quantitative variables may augment your analysis

if you want to compare themes based on some if you want to compare themes based on some attribute or want to consider the prevalence of attribute or want to consider the prevalence of certain codes or themes by different groupscertain codes or themes by different groups

Atlasti:Atlasti:– Use Document Families to sort documentsUse Document Families to sort documents– Use the filter to show codes that relate to Use the filter to show codes that relate to

those documentsthose documents– Use the reporting options to generate code Use the reporting options to generate code

tablestables

1616

1717

7. Write up your report7. Write up your report

QDAQDA SoftwareSoftware Writing UpWriting UpDescribe data Describe data analysis analysis proceduresprocedures

Keep record of major Keep record of major steps as a memo or steps as a memo or document throughout document throughout data analysisdata analysis

Use your record to write about Use your record to write about the major steps in 1-2 the major steps in 1-2 paragraphs of your methodsparagraphs of your methods

Organize your Organize your findingsfindings

Refined coding Refined coding scheme in Code scheme in Code System provides your System provides your organizationorganization

Use major codes as your Use major codes as your headings when writing up the headings when writing up the findingsfindings

Include Include multiple multiple perspectives perspectives about each about each themetheme

Retrieve coded Retrieve coded segments based on segments based on different attributesdifferent attributes

Describe the different Describe the different perspectives that emergedperspectives that emerged

Include good Include good quotes as quotes as evidence for evidence for each themeeach theme

Keep Quotes in the Keep Quotes in the comments box or memo comments box or memo associated with the associated with the codecode

Select short passages to use as Select short passages to use as evidence for each theme. evidence for each theme. Quotes should illustrate the Quotes should illustrate the ideas. Long quotes can be used ideas. Long quotes can be used as a vignette introducing a as a vignette introducing a case. Drag and drop quotes case. Drag and drop quotes directly into your reportdirectly into your report

Work Work efficiently to efficiently to write up your write up your resultsresults

Have both your Have both your manuscript open in manuscript open in Word and Atlas.ti Word and Atlas.ti open as you write to open as you write to compare what you are compare what you are writing to the datawriting to the data

Use visual diagrams as an Use visual diagrams as an outline for writing the outline for writing the analysis or results section of analysis or results section of your report. your report.