PREREQUISITES
No prior knowledge of the software is required. Reasonable levels of familiarity with qualitative data analysis procedures and efficiency in using Windows based software are assumed.
COURSE OUTLINE
This is an introductory course designed for those familiar with qualitative research approaches who are interested in using NVivo to assist with the tasks of qualitative data analysis. The focus is on learning the NVivo data analysis toolkit through hands on experience. Sample data will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own data sets. The first day will provide an overview of the software and will offer participants the opportunity to consider applications of the software to their own research projects. During the remainder of the course, participants will be taken systematically through the tasks of developing a research project from planning for the collection of data through preparation of the data for analysis and undertaking the tasks of analysis to conceptualising, validating and presenting findings.
Monday: Introduction - to each other and to the software. Overview of the NVivo toolkit: managing documents and coding. Alternatives to the coding paradigm for handling data analysis. Asking questions and displaying findings.
Tuesday: Starting a project - when and how. Making data - issues in gathering qualitative data and preparing data records to enhance computer assisted qualitative data analysis. Managing data and recording thinking about the data - coding and recording links. Documenting conversations and threads. Incorporating literature into the project. Creating an audit trail.
Wednesday: Managing and thinking about the data - ways of representing demographics and other attributes and using them to manipulate the data. Working with cases. Handling non-text data within the context of an NVivo project. Tools for reviewing progress and monitoring analysis.
Thursday: Theory building and conceptualising - using search and display tools to explore relationships and interactions, test hypotheses, refine analysis and verify accounts. Interfacing with other software including Microsoft Word, EndNote, Excel and SPSS.
Friday: Building an account - ways of representing and reporting findings: generating text reports, mapping concepts. Using audit trails to give an account of analysis procedures and authenticate accounts.
REFERENCES
Bazely, P. and L. Richards (2000). The NVivo Qualitative Project Book, London, Sage.
Gibbs, G.R. (2002). Qualitative Data Analysis: Explorations with NVivo, Buckingham, Open University Press.
Richards, L. (2002). Using NVivo in Qualitative Research, Melbourne, QSR International.
RELATED COURSES/EXPERIENCE
Some previous experience in Qualitative Research Techniques or qualitative analysis in general would be an advantage but is not a prerequisite for participating in this course.
