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Like Silvana, we also train and consult users of QDA software. Most of our work to date has been with users of ATLAS.ti, ETHNOGRAPH, HyperResearch and NUDIST. NVIVO and WinMax are other packages we work with, but the quotes below come only from where most of our work has been to date. I thought it might be useful for people to see some select quotes from our clients about the different products. Please know that this is more of a haphazard selection, all of the quotes are anonymous because they either come from anonymous evaluations or from our eavesdropping over someone's shoulder when they're working or from our conversations with clients. Let me also confess my underlying motive. Regardless of what package someone chooses, they can do a very rich analysis. Patricia asked about 'user friendliness.' Of course, to some degree we can make general statements about this, but it is really about user preference. When we do choice workshops we find that preferences for a package vary in quirky manners as do preferences for wardrobes. This discussion has yielded wonderful information. However, do NOT decide on a software package until you at least demo two or three different packages. PERSONALLY. The number of users of a package, the amount of conversation, the insight of a colleague, whatever...all pale in comparison to finding what you like...dislike in software - qualitative or otherwise. While you demo a package ask this question...Which package best fits my qualitative data analysis style and most likely enhances my insight? AND if you can't answer it easily or if the layout of a package is awkward, you may want to pursue another option... on to the quotes (some paraphrased...) As you read the quotes remember that qualitative analysis is a process...discovering the full power of a package is too...as you work more you'll discover new tricks and find ways to tailor a package to your preference. Packages discussed in alphabetical order so no one gets offended! ATLAS.ti 'Wow! Whatever I want is here. I like that I don't have to feel restricted to just code, code, code. The way I think is to code...explore what's coded...write notes...explore what's written...ATLAS makes that comfortable.' 'Too many buttons!' [Same person after we showed them how they can opt to hide the toolbars] - 'No buttons!' :) 'We've learned a lot about how our colleagues on this project think...that is almost entirely due to the use of ATLAS.' ETHNOGRAPH 'You know, its elegance is its simplicity. I've read that ETHONOGRAPH doesn't assist theory development. That just is not true. It is clean and let's me get right to the text of my data. I'm looking forward to this project!' 'I thought ETHNOGRAPH wouldn't offer as much as other packages because of its price. But, this is all I need. It makes sense to me. I find that as I code and memo I look forward to questions I can ask about my coding later.' HyperResearch 'The case cards really help me guide my comparisons. I think in terms of units of analysis. This works well for me.' 'So, the hypothesis tester can be used at any time...not just after coding is finished? Ok, so I can play with notions about what I see as I go along.' NUD*IST 'This will keep our research team on track. Merge makes sense to me. We can really lay out our goals and get to work now.' 'Why nodes? It just seems like another thing to deal with.' [Same person after a discussion of the flexibility of nodes.] 'So, that's nice. Nodes are just places for my ideas. I can move them around, cut them out. OK.' 'Coding Stripes are a fun way to explore what's happening between my codes. My code stripe reports are really helping me setup what index searches I'll perform.' Raymond C. Maietta, Ph.D. ResearchTalk Consultation and Training 516.289.4175 [log in to unmask] www.researchtalk.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%