What is qualitative data analysis?

An introduction to qualitative data analysis for theory-building research

For more best practices see our method overview

Content

Definition of qualitative data analysis?

Qualitative data analysis is the analysis of non-numeric information, such as texts, images, audio, or video recordings. Unlike quantitative data, which deals with measurable quantities, qualitative data focuses on understanding the complexities of human experiences, perceptions, and behaviors. Qualitative data analysis is the systematic examination of qualitative data to identify meaningful patterns, themes, and insights.

The most common data collection method that requires a form of qualitative data analysis is interviews, which, depending on your research question, can be performed with a fixed structure (similar but not quite like a questionaire), semi-structured with an interview-outline or unstructured where the interviewee steers more of the conversation. Qualitative data analysis can also be performed on papers for a systematic literature review to structure the analysis process. Other forms of data which is frequently analyzed using qualitative data analysis (QDA) techniques are workshop transcripts and field notes from observation.

Methods of qualitative data analysis

Qualitative data analysis is an umbrella term for all research methods that concern the analysis of non-numerical data. It is usually part of a larger research methodology, or set of methods which imply a certain epistemological stance, or prescribe the way of data gathering, or structure the process of the qualitative data analysis with particular coding steps.
Some methods are more opinionated than others. For instance, Grounded Theory is more on the opinionated side, whereas Thematic Analysis is designed to be more flexible.

Content analysis

Content analysis involves systematically coding and categorizing textual or visual data. Researchers identify recurring themes, patterns, or concepts within the data, providing a structured way to analyze large volumes of information.

Content analysis is more of a set of methods rather than a method itself, although it is sometimes portrayed as such. Content analysis also frequently is associated with a quantitative analysis of text, by systematically analyzing word frequencies or colocation of words etc. However a qualitative approach using qualitative data analysis is also valid and a mixed-methods approach of quantitative and qualitative data analysis can add method triangulation and complement each other.

Thematic analysis

Thematic Analysis is a flexible and widely used qualitative research method that involves identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (themes) within the data. Researchers immerse themselves in the data, coding relevant segments and organizing them into themes that represent key concepts.

Thematic analysis is particularly well-suited for exploring rich and complex data, such as interview transcripts, focus group discussions, or written documents. The process of qualitative data analysis typically begins with familiarization with the data, followed by the generation of initial codes to capture meaningful segments. These codes are then organized into potential themes, which are refined and defined through an iterative process of reviewing, refining, and revising. The final step involves writing a coherent narrative that captures the essence of the identified themes, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.

Grounded theory

Grounded Theory aims to generate theories from the data itself. Researchers start with an open mind, collecting and analyzing data to develop concepts and theories that emerge organically from the data. This method is particularly useful for exploring new or under-researched topics.

Grounded theory prescribes three coding phases of qualitative data analysis: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. These are sometimes also commonly used outside of the framework of grounded theory. From the original inception of grounded theory by Glased and Strauss, many variants emerged. Maybe the most adopted one being the one proposed by Strauss and Corbin. Grounded theory is also a good fit for constructivistic studies.

Narrative analysis

Narrative analysis focuses on the stories people tell. It involves examining the structure, content, and meaning of narratives to understand the way individuals construct and interpret their experiences. This usually invovles some form of qualitative data analysis. This method is common in fields such as sociology and psychology.

Narrative analysis can used both inductively (exploratory) and the deductively (confirmatory). In the inductive approach, the analysis starts from the bottom-up, allowing the data to speak for itself without being influenced by preconceived notions. This method involves examining the data first and identifying patterns and themes to elucidate the story, rather than interpreting the data through the lens of existing hypotheses, theories, or frameworks which may be represented in a pre-defined codesystem. Conversely, the deductive approach adopts a top-down perspective, guiding the analysis with pre-existing hypotheses, theories, or frameworks from the outset.

Discourse analysis

Discourse analysis examines language use in various forms of communication. It looks at how language constructs meaning and reflects power dynamics, social norms, and cultural influences. This method is often used in fields like linguistics, communication studies, and sociology.

Discourse analysis involves the close examination of texts, conversations, or other forms of communication to identify patterns, themes, and discursive strategies. Researchers do qualitative data analysis to analyze the use of specific words, metaphors, or linguistic devices to discern the social constructions and representations present in a given discourse. Additionally, discourse analysts often consider the broader socio-political context in which communication occurs, recognizing that language is a powerful tool that reflects and perpetuates societal values, norms, and power dynamics.

Challenges of qualitative data analysis

While qualitative data analysis offers a wealth of insights, interpreting unstructured qualitative data comes with its own set of challenges. These may include issues of subjectivity, the time-intensive nature of the process, and the potential for bias in interpretation. Rigorous methods, transparency in reporting with an audit trail, and reflexivity (conscious awareness of the researcher's influence) are crucial in addressing these challenges.

The data is often unstructured and complex, requiring a lot of time and effort to organize, code and categorize.
The data is often context-dependent and subjective, meaning that different researchers may have different interpretations and perspectives on the same data.
The data is often rich and nuanced, meaning that there may be multiple layers of meaning and hidden insights that are not easily captured or communicated.
The data is often influenced by the researcher's own assumptions, biases and values, which may affect the data collection, analysis and presentation.

To overcome these challenges when doing your qualitative data analysis, it is recommended to adopt at least some of the best practices outlined in the next chapter.

Best practices of qualitative data analysis

To enhance the rigor of your research you need to make sure that your results are grounded in the data and not correspond to any of your biases by practicing reflexivity. To demonstrate, that the analysis was not influenced by your own personal experience and background you can do investigator triangulation and to ensure your results are not biased by one particular method you can use method triangulation. Further you should make sure that the perspective of the participants is captured correctly. You demonstrate this by performing member checking. You should document your research process and all actions you took to mitigate biases in an audit trail. There are many more best practices which you can read up on in our method overview.

Conclusion on qualitative data analysis

Qualitative data analysis is a powerful tool for uncovering the depth and complexity of human experiences. It adds a qualitative dimension to the quantitative landscape, enriching our understanding of the social, cultural, and psychological aspects of research questions. As technology advances and interdisciplinary approaches become more common, qualitative data analysis continues to evolve, offering researchers innovative ways to explore the intricate tapestry of human stories and meanings.

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