Qualitative research Data collection and analysis - The analysis of qualitative data

8 important questions on Qualitative research Data collection and analysis - The analysis of qualitative data

When do you start analysis during your research?

You start to analyse your data early during the research process. In common, you produce a data file in which the analysis can begun.

What does coding mean and what are the three (deductive) coding types?

Coding means assigning key words to the material.

1. Descriptive codes; open coding, providing a concise description of part of the research material.
2. Thematic codes; axial coding, relate to broader concepts and references the concepts that form the basis of the descriptive codes
3. Pattern codes; selective coding, indicate links and relationships between the varios concepts involved

How can you organize your data from interviews?

You can make an overview and summary based on categorizing the subjects or themes. Grouping them together with the other respondents answers by theme or subject. This way, you have an overview of the content of various answers given.
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How do you certain the validity and reliability within qualitative research?

It's important to have detailed in depth research and every problem merits further investigation. There needs to be a clear framework, clear questions and robust procedure for observation and analysis.

What are the three ways in which you can check the quality of data collection within qualitative research?

- Replicate observations and see if it has the same outcome
- Two researchers carry out the observations simultaneously
- Use triangulation -> using various methods of data sources


- Internal validity; always important
- External validity; only with more cases
- Reliability; usually low

What is the difference between outliers within qualitative research compared to quantitative research?

Within quantitative research, the outliers are seen a noise. However, within qualitative research they're seen as topics that could be subjects for further research.

How can you avoid the influence of researchers' interpretation within a qualitative research?

- You can do a members check; research subjects are asked whether they agree with specific interpreatations made by researcher.

- Peer debriefing; similar method, but involves fellow researcher.

What is reflection in action and in what type of research do you use it?

Reflection in action is the explicitely explaining process of decisions. You explain what is done and why. This is used in qualitative research.

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