Simplifying Qualitative Data Analysis Using General Purpose Software Tools
Authors
LaPelle, Nancy R.UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral MedicineDocument Type
Accepted ManuscriptPublication Date
2004-02-01Keywords
Qualitative ResearchData Interpretation, Statistical
Word Processing
Software
Behavioral Disciplines and Activities
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
Community Health and Preventive Medicine
Preventive Medicine
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This article shows how clever but simple use of word-processing functions can provide many features of special-purpose software designed for analyzing text. For many qualitative research projects, and for students who are learning computerassisted analysis of text, the Microsoft Word functions outlined here may be all that are required. Examples are given showing how Microsoft Word can be used for coding and retrieving, semiautomated coding and inspection, creating hierarchies of code categories via indexing, global editing of theme codes, coding of "face-sheet" data, exploring relationships between face-sheet codes and conceptual codes, quantifying the frequency of code instances, and annotating text. The techniques outlined can be used for analyzing and managing many kinds of data, including key informant interviews, focus groups, document and literature reviews, and open-ended survey questions.Source
La Pelle, Nancy. Simplifying Qualitative Data Analysis Using General Purpose Software Tools. Field Methods, Vol. 16, No. 1, 85-108 (2004). Link to article on publisher's websiteDOI
10.1177/1525822X03259227Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/44973Notes
This is the author's version of the work.Rights
(c) 2004 Sage Publications.ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1177/1525822X03259227