Introduction to Qualitative data analysisHow to do simple qualitative data analysis for small projects on paperAndrew Blyth, Nanzan University & University of Canberra

Qualitative & Quantitative Numbers add meaning to words, and

words add meaning to numbers. (Dörnyei, 2007, p45)

Uses Analysing interviews (transcripts) Analysing texts (inc. letters, journals,

documents, etc) Analysing pictures & videos (like classroom

observations; Mitchell, 2011)

Today we will Use grounded theory methodology “Grounded theory” is generated from

patterns that emerge from the data reduction (Corbin & Strauss, 1967)

Tries to be relatively objective, and freed of our personal interpretation, ie: “let the data speak for itself”.

Typical project workflow

Design•Look at similar projects, and design yours•Decide data required (inc. data collection & analysis method)

Data

•Data collection•Data analysis •Theory generation

Share•Presentations•Publications

Data reductionRaw data (eg: Interview transcript)

Coding

Meta analysis

Theory

Coding is… “Codes are tags or labels for assigning

units of meaning to the descriptive or inferential information compiled during a study. … For our purposes it is not the words themselves but their meaning that matters” (Miles & Huberman, 1994, p56)

Coding is… We don’t need to

know the full list of ingredients, just the “tag”, “label”, or the “code”:

#yummy #cake #chocolatecake

Types of coding

Free coding

Using predefined codes as a start-list

Using pre-defined codes

See Miles & Huberman (1994, p58)

Coding options Using numbers, letters, or symbols Descriptive codes. Eg:

Ped.TBA = Pedagogy is Task Based Approach Ped.GT = Pedagogy is Grammar Translation Mat.CD = Materials used is compact disk Mat.Tvoice = Materials used is the teacher’s voice GQ = Great Quote (something you could use in

your article) etc

Miles & Huberman (1994, p59-60)

Descriptive codes in use [Pictures with examples]

Examples

Images from: http://onlineqda.hud.ac.uk/Intro_QDA/phpechopage_titleOnlineQDA-Examples_QDA.php

This workshop:1. Use a pre-defined list to perform data

reduction2. Try our own free coding

Pre-defined coding: Use a pre-defined list to perform data

reduction Look at news website comments, and

categorise only the relevant ones Make ‘theory’ Confirm theory with a colleague

“Project”Explore the impoliteness (face threatening acts, comments against the journalist) of comments sections of news websites. Is there a difference between anonymous

and non-anonymous comments? Compare Reddit (anon)& Peta Pixel (non-

anon)

How?1. Familiarise yourself with the themes you will use2. Create your own code for each theme3. Look at the data4. Match the ‘data’ to a suitable code5. Halfway, stop and ‘audit’ (double check your

coding is consistent)6. Continue7. When you finish, look at how many of each code

you used, and make a general comment of the pattern that emerged

Focus ONLY look at the comments that focus on

news article or the journalist’s writing. Ignore all other comments, including

those discussing the topic and answering other people’s comments.

Examples: Which are relevant?Thread 1

I think the real issue is that the politicians don’t get the realities farmers face. It’s not just the politicians,

it’s the bleeding banks too. They only care about payments, whether it’s great or there’s a draught

Didn’t The Gazette discuss this last month?

Thread 2 In defence of the truck

driver, they have to work long shifts, so they get tired. Truck drivers will be

replaced by drones anyway. Dinosaurs. Self-driving trucks?

I feel sorry for the penguins in this story.

The news article

The comments

Finished? Ask someone to look at your coding, to

determine if they agree that your coding is accurate

Ask someone to listen to your “theory”, and let them see your coding, and determine if your theory is supported by your coding & data

Discussion What are the strengths and weaknesses of

this approach? Do you have a research project of your

own in mind? How can you adapt this methodology for your own research?

What are the limitations of doing it on paper?

Free coding Look at each comment. Summarise the

theme in one to three words. Make this a “theme”, then make a descriptive

code. Eg: “Pedagogy is ineffective” = Ped.Effect- (minus)

Add to your list of themes & codes as you read You can use multiple themes to describe a

few lines of language.

You try Work with your partner or group, and quickly

go through one lot of comments and “code” them.

Read them again more closely, and adjust your codes if you need to, and reduce the data more.

Make a short simple summary of the main themes based on the codes that emerged.

Share your theory with a nearby group.

Discussion Share your theory to a colleague, & discuss What are the strengths and weaknesses of this

approach? Do you have a research project of your own

in mind? How can you adapt this methodology for your own research?

What are the limitations of doing it on paper?

Bibliography Creswell, J (2009) Research Design: Qualitative,

Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. California, USA: Sage Publications.

Dörnyei, Z. (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics (Oxford Applied Linguistics). OUP.

Henrich, N. & Holmes, B. (2013). Web news readers’ comments: Towards developing a methodology for using on-line comments in social inquiry. Journal of Media and Communication Studies, 5(1).

Miles, M., and Huberman, A. (1994) An Expanded Sourcebook: Qualitative Data Analysis (2nd Edition). Thousand Oaks, USA: Sage Publications.

Mitchell, C. (2011) Doing Visual Researching. Sage Publications.

More info https://winjeel.com Cover image

CC0, Startup Stock Photos, https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-wearing-black-and-white-stripe-shirt-looking-at-white-printer-papers-on-the-wall-212286/