Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative Data Analysis is the process where theoretical data collected gets examined and interpreted in a thematic manner to identify the patterns in research. In other words, analysing the qualitative data which includes texts, speech, videos, open-ended interviews, images, transcripts, and other non-numeric data is known as qualitative data analysis.

Features Of Qualitative Data Analysis

• No universal rules
• A fluid Process
• Depends on the researcher & research context
• Adapts and evolves as per the data collected

How To Decide Which Qualitative Data Analysis Approach To Follow?

Although qualitative data analysis is a must, there are no set rules about how to proceed with the analysis process. Moreover, the methods and framework design majorly depend upon the approach taken for qualitative data analysis. These approaches are based on the researcher's understanding of the collected data.

Inductive Approach

This approach leads the researcher to a time-consuming and thorough qualitative data analysis framework. In this approach, nothing is considered predetermined; the researcher does not know what outcome or data will convey until it is analysed. This data analysis approach is taken into consideration when the researcher is not familiar with the research phenomenon.

Deductive Approach

The deductive approach for qualitative data analysis is more on the easier side. It has a predetermined structure to be followed and consumes less time of the researcher. In this data analysis approach, the researcher can presume the result or research hypothesis on the basis of which the whole plan can be strategized.

Methods Of Qualitative Data Analysis

Unlike quantitative data, qualitative data can not be accurately measured in numerical terms which brings us to the methods of qualitative data analysis. Although the source of data collection might remain the same (survey, interviews, or observation) for both qualitative and quantitative data, the methods of analysis can differ.

• Content Analysis - In this, the data is classified in categories based on the oral and behavioral data, and presented accordingly.
• Narrative Analysis - In this analysis, the data collected was evaluated and analysed based on the individual circumstances and situations.
• Discourse Analysis - The data collected in this analysis gets interpreted in terms of its natural occurrence and meaning derived from the data as a whole.
• Framework Analysis - This is an advanced method of qualitative data analysis which consists of various stages like familiarization, identification of theme, coding, mapping, and interpreting the data.
• Grounded Theory - It is one of the commonly used methods where a theory/analysis is formed on one case and other cases are studied to see their relation and contribution to the first theory.

The data collection method, data collected, research questions and objectives help in deciding the suitable analysis technique for your research work. Therefore, the team of Five Vidya checks these details before moving on to the analysis process.

Process Of Qualitative Data Analysis

The process of qualitative data analysis mostly remains the same regardless of the data collection method; that is, one-to-one interviews or surveys conducted through both online and offlines. Here are the steps you need to follow to conduct a qualitative data analysis.

• Arranging The Collected Data: The collected data can be in the form of video transcriptions, audio recordings, and various other ways. The arranging data means putting all the data collected in the text format in the spreadsheet. It can be done manually or through tools to assist qualitative data analysis.
• Organizing The Data: Even after putting the data into the spreadsheet, the data remains unorganized and hard to understand. Due to this the data needs to be organized in a readable and understandable pattern. It is most useful when large data is collected. The organization can be based on research questions or other suitable basis. The organization of data can be tedious but it is important when it comes to the next step.
• Developing Codes: Assigning codes to the data helps in simplifying the qualitative data analysis process. It helps in categorising the data based on its properties and patterns. The coding can help in deriving theories out of the data, to have detailed information about the collected data, and to form plans and make informed decisions because of their meaningful titles.
  
  Coding is of three types:
  • Open: It includes organizing the raw data collected initially to make it understandable.
  • Axial: In this the categories of codes are interconnected and linked together.
  • Selective: It includes coming up with a theory after connecting the codes.

  Coding can either be done manually or through the qualitative data analysis softwares like NVivo, Atlas, and so on.

• Identifying Themes:

  Unlike quantitative data, qualitative data can not be analysed based on some universally accepted equations and thus, logical findings can not be generated. It completely depends on the critical thinking skills of the researcher. However, there are a few techniques and methods which can be used to identify the themes, patterns and relationship between sample responses.
  
  Few of the effective methods of analysing and interpreting the qualitative data are as follows:
  • Repetition Check: Do an in-depth analysis of the primary data and highlight the repetitive words and phrases which were commonly included by the respondents in their answers.
  • Comparison: Compare the data collection, findings through interviews and group discussions of the primary and secondary literature studies to see the difference between them.
  • Missing Info: The data which was expected to be collected has not been included in the answers given by the respondents becomes the missing info. In this method, the missing info needs to be discussed to critically analyse it.

• Concluding The Data:

  Although there is a separate section or paragraph for data interpretation, a one-line or two-line statement can be given after the analysis to provide a brief interpretation. It includes systematically representing the data analysis result along with the method used, the benefits and disadvantages of the method, and findings from the analysis. It also helps in linking and correlating the data to the research hypothesis and its aims too.

Service Highlights And Inclusions By Five Vidya

As easy as it seems in theory, the process of data analysis is not so simple in practical terms. Also, in any research work, data analysis is significant to support the research objective. Therefore, our experts make sure to keep the quality and satisfaction rate more than average.

• Expert Statisticians: For data analysis, we have expert statisticians to avoid any technical or informational mistakes. At Five Vidya, we ensure quality services by maintaining an order and assigning your work to the experts who are best compatible for that and have years of experience in the field.
• Data Interpretation: We already provide the initial interpretation lines to make it easier for you to draw conclusions. However, in case you want a separate data interpretation section or other sections like results and discussion, and conclusions, we can also provide you that at discounted package rates which are hard to find elsewhere with the given quality.
• Various Tools: We provide manual analysis of data as well as software. Our statisticians are well-learned to use different softwares and tools like NVivo, Thematic, and so on to analyse qualitative data. Although our statisticians choose the suitable software, you can also tell your preferred tool if you want to use a particular one.
• Before The Promised Deadline: Another quality that our services have is before deadline delivery of the work. Based on the complexity of the research and procedure, we provide you the quickest services. Our services might be delivered earlier than the promised timeline but never late. Due to this quality only, 27 out of 50 of our clients prefer us for further services.