Analysing qualitative data

• Content analysis -

  > This is a method of analysing qualitative data by changing large amounts of qualitative data into quantitative

  > This is done by identifying meaningful codes that can be counted enabling us to present the data in a graph
• How is a content analysis conducted -

  1. Read /view the video or transcript
  2. Identify/ create coding categories
  3. Re-read the diaries/questionnaire or repeatedly listen to sections of the recording and tally every time each code appears
  4. Present the quantitative data in a graph/table
• Thematic analysis -

  > This is a method of analysing qualitative data by identifying common themes enabling us to present the data in a qualitative format.

  > .g. Interview recordings, presentation/conversation, diary entries
• How is a thematic analysis carried out -

  1. Not already a transcript: watch the video or listen to recordings to create a transcript
  2. Read and reread transcript (familiarisation)
  3. Identify codes - look for words that commonly crop up
  4. Combine these words to reduce the amount of words into 3 or 4 themes
  5. Present the details in a qualitative form
• Qualitative data AO3 -

  :) It is easy to assess the reliability of the findings and conclusions because other researchers can access the materials and use the coding system, to ensure findings are consistent (inter-rater reliability).
• Qualitative data AO3 -

  :( Potential researcher bias as the content that confirms the researcher’s hypothesis is more likely to be identified and recorded compared to the content that contradicts their aims and expectations. Lowering the internal validity