Some of the unique key elements of data analysis that are consistent to the some qualitative research approach include, sampling strategy specific to the study of interest, mode of recruitment for the participants, participants eligibility to participate, format of the participants interviews, permission to recollection, choosing settings for the interviews, data transcription and types of interview questions. Some researchers may elect the use of audio tape for transcription purposes while consent must be approved by the participants. Otherwise, alternate data capturing method can be employed instead of recording (Rubin & Rubin, 2011). The recording of the audio interviews allows for coding and sorting of categories and themes within the open-ended contexts (Creswell & Poth, 2017).
The analysis of data is one of the most important yet difficult aspects of undertaking any qualitative research (Basit, 2003)). This is one of the main reasons why QDA software is here to simplify, ease, eradicate and realign the process of qualitative coding. The experience of coding using Word or Excel software is the time factor, thought factor, and knowledge factor (Basit, 2003). The time factor is the amount of time it takes to perform manual coding and counting. Being manual in coding means categorizing codes in themes and categories (Creswell, 2009). The thought factor is the ability to think about coding utilization (Basit, 2003). It also means finding better method of manual coding that include the views, perceptions, representation of coding, and the style, which could be used in either Word or Excel to present the resulted coding. Knowledge coding is knowing how, when and which representation can be utilized in Word or Excel platform.
Basit (2003) mentioned how a choice to use manual or alternate method of coding will depend on the scope of the project, the monetary resources for the research, time factor, and the predisposition and knowledge of the researcher.
There are many Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. Some QDA Software are specific to certain qualitative research approach. Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) is a web-based application, a spontaneous and refillable gears for collecting, storing and disseminating project-specific clinical, translational and qualitative research data (Harris, Taylor, Thielke, Payne, Gonzalez, & Conde, 2009). Based on the analysis of NVivo, MAXQDA, and HyperResearch software packages in manipulating data, developing transcription notes, and media data, NVivo appeared to be top of the line in majority of qualitative research needs (Creswell, 2009). Nvivo is a data analysis software package with different interactive functions within qualitative research methods (Creswell, 2009). Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) is an important qualitative data tool used in analyzing an exact and see-through image of the data. Manual data analysis as compared to automated or software data analysis posed concerns of dependability and validity in the data analysis process (Welsh, 2002). NVivo allows potential researchers to investigate their data at different stages of the study. Consequently, it can ameliorate the rigor of the analysis process by authenticating some of the researchers’ own representation off the data (Gibbs, 2002).
In Vivo Coding can be done manually, and it is suitable for the practice interview responses of research. In Vivo Coding is most suitable for email interview questions and responses (Smith & Firth, 2011). It is more effective because of how codes terms, words and phrases are used by the participants themselves, and give them identity in the research (Saldana, 2015). Some of the key features of NVivo products are its effective abilities to unify, evaluate and identify users’ insights in unstructured format. Furthermore, NVivo is more effective when using interviews, open-ended questionnaires and survey responses, research articles, social media, web content, et cetera (QSA International, n.d.). MaxQDA products are some of the best QSA products in the current market. They are powerful and yet simple to use; exhibit wide range of comprehensive video tutorials for both experts and novice users, multi-language supports; free manuals and extensive technical supports with training capabilities; free trial license, and capacity to conduct numerous kind of qualitative and transcription analysis simultaneously (MAXQDA, n.d). The different product types for MaxQDA include MaxQDA base with qualitative text analysis basic, MaxQDA standard with text analysis and advanced data analysis. The MaxQDA Plus and Analytics Pro exhibit quantitative and qualitative data, and text analysis included (MaxQDA, n.d.).
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