Karen,
Given the sketchy information you have provided, I also am not certain that
a "qualitative" program may be appropriate. What did you plan on doing
with the data? What type of analysis did imagine doing? How have you
worked with such data in the past? What was your thinking before you
started collecting data?
It seems like the data is at most, a phrase and there are an unknown number
of "elaborated" responses that are probably no more than a few sentences.
At first glance I have to agree with Ray Maietta?
As a software developer (Ethnograph), I have mixed reactions Ed Brent's
post. The appropriateness of any software for any research project or any
individual user cannot be presumed.
I have just spent several long and frustrating days evaluating new
invoicing software for my business. I played with about 12 programs. Most
were good, but none were perfect. The high powered programs like
QuickBooks and PeachTree were totally inappropriate. One simpler invoicing
program would have been perfect, but after 2 days and a couple of phone
calls I discovered a fatal flaw. It didn't do something I needed it to
do. So I went back to other packages, some of which I had rejected, to
evaluate how they would fit with my business needs. I had high hopes for
one package, but ended up rejecting it. After making compromises, lowering
my expectations, and coming up with work arounds, I found one invoicing
program that fit my specific needs and that I would feel comfortable (but
not necessarily ecstatic) with.
In short, I needed to understand my needs, and the capabilities of the
software. I needed to do a lot of thinking and trial and error, before I
made my choice. And I have to hope that I didn't make the wrong
choice! Time will tell.
Ray's response is conservative, but very appropriate. While I agree with
many of Ed's points, in regard to this particular situation, I think it was
a bit presumptuous and over enthusiastic.
Bottom line, think about what you want to do, download a few demo's and see
what they can do (play with your data), and then decide if Excell, or a
qualitative package is right for you.
John
At 09:02 PM 11/11/2003, you wrote:
>Hello! I am currently completing my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and have
>a substantial amount of qualitative data (approx. 200 questionnaires),
>mostly from sentence completion and 1 or 2 word responses, although some
>individuals have chosen to elaborate more fully on their questionnaires.
>
>Looking for a reliable, valid & "student affordable" computerized program
>to analyze data.
>
>Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thank you!
>
>Karen Kampfer
>Las Vegas, NV, USA
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