Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

After qualitative data are collected via interviews, focus groups, or open-ended questions on surveys, researchers must make sense of the findings through a rigorous data analysis process. While the primary goal of qualitative data analysis (QDA) is to describe, explain, and/or interpret qualitative patterns by using words, numbers, matrices, pictures, sounds, or other forms of representation, researchers are often confronted with the challenge of how to analyze complex data appropriately and not reproduce data in a reduced form with minimal analysis or a lack of interpretation (Sandelowski & Barroso, 2003). In this hands-on workshop, we present the pros and cons of five commonly used qualitative data analysis (QDA) software, including ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, MAXQDA, NVivo, and Quirkos. This workshop will also address digital pedagogical approaches to helping participants manage the qualitative research, where they are the major instruments in the research process. Participants will engage in activities to meet this challenge. This session is relevant for students, faculty, and applied researchers grappling with QDA organization, management, and analysis. Participants will leave this workshop with a system for approaching how to digitally organize and manage their research projects, answering questions such as: Which software is most suitable for what methodology and why? What type of coding is best to use? What other tools might I use to be more productive throughout my research and writing process? Attendees will have access to dynamic resources, including all materials, created by the presenters.