The Lewins and Silver book is getting a bit dated, which is sad
as the software moves on rather fast. Silvana is right though the Caqdas
project is the best place to go for impartial advice.
On the subject of work arounds, these are only available if you
know people who use the software, or if you find a solution to a problem… that
back to the argument is not intuitive…..
Paul gD
From:
qual-software [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of SdG
Associates
Sent: 02 February 2010 09:04
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: which is best nvivo or atlas? - MAXQDA10 Release soon
For the best up to date information on all the top packages
see the CAQDAS project - which has no ties to any commercial developer - http://caqdas.soc.surrey.ac.uk/softwareoptions.html
You may also want to consult:
Lewins & Silver (2007) Using Software in Qualitative
Research : A Step-by-Step Guide, Sage Publications, London
or my book - di Gregorio, S. and Davidson, J. (2008)
Qualitative Research Design for software Users, Open University Press
The question is not so much which is the 'best' package - as
these packages are constantly being updated (e.g MAXqda 10 will be released
soon, NVivo 9 in the autumn). It is more a case of whether you have a
support group you can dip into where you work. And you also need training in
all of these packages - none are intuitive although some people may have
personal preferences. I see their commonalities. What is important is that you
think about the design of your research and make sure that you represent that
design in the way you set up the project in whatever software you choose. Some
may be a bit stronger for certain kinds of data or research designs e.g. if
your data are purely video than Transana is the obvious choice - which is why I
suggest you look at the CAQDAS link above. However, in all the packages
mentioned, you can always find work-arounds to compensate for any weaknesses.
Best wishes,
Silvana
Silvana di Gregorio, PhD
SdG Associates
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