I really have to object to Ray's comment that qualitative analysis programs
are too much program for doing simple qualitative analysis while
quantitative databases or spreadsheets are not.
Qualitative researchers have spent entirely too much time already tryng to
limp along doing qualitative analyses on programs designed for quantitative
purposes. Even for something simple like coding brief open-ended answers,
any of the qualitative analysis programs are superior to a spreadsheet or
database program. I'll let other developers speak for themselves, but
Qualrus offers a number of significant advantages over a spreadsheet or
database for this task. With Qualrus you can
- use the categorizing tool to easily group similar responses and then
assign a standard code in one step
- use scripts and the intelligent tools to automatically assign codes to
segments
- use simple qualitatively oriented tools like search or scripts to examine
segments having particular codes or code/text combinations to check coding
accuracy
- use logical relationships among codes to exploit hierarchies and other
logical dependencies that can help you generalize your findings and refine
your codes.
The other qualitative analysis programs offer advantages over spreadsheets
and database programs as well. The only advantage of a spreadsheet or
database program is that the person may already have one of those on their
computer. But isn't it rather short-sighted to encourage researchers to
continue using programs because they have them rather than because they
offer the best way to perform qualitative research? It seems to me we ought
to be encouraging young qualitative researchers to explore the tools
available and become competent in their use so that throughout their careers
they can take maximum advantage of those tools and not be forced to continue
limiting future projects to fit the standard mold of off-the-shelf
quantitative packages.
Edward Brent, Ph.D.
President, Idea Works, Inc.
100 West Briarwood
Columbia, Missouri 65203 USA
(573) 445-4554
(573) 446-2199 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
www.ideaworks.com
www.qualrus.com
>
> If the open responses or only one or two words, you may be better off not
using a qualitative software package and just entering responses into a
quantitative database.
> Bottom line - think about whether or not you are buying too much of a
package for your purpose.
>
> Hope that helps,
> Ray
>
>
> Raymond C. Maietta, Ph.D., President
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