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Qualitative data analysis

Learning how to analyse qualitative data by computer can be fun. That is one assumption underpinning this new introduction to qualitative analysis, which takes full account of how computing techniques have enhanced and transformed the field. The book provides a practical and unpretentious discussion of the main procedures for analysing qualitative data by computer, with most of its examples taken from humour or everyday life. It examines ways in which computers can contribute to greater rigour and creativity, as well as greater efficiency in analysis. The author discusses some of the pitfalls and paradoxes as well as the practicalities of computer-based qualitative analysis.

The perspective of Qualitative Data Analysis is pragmatic rather than prescriptive, introducing different possibilities without advocating one particular approach. The result is a stimulating, accessible and largely disciplineneutral text, which should appeal to a wide audience, most especially to arts and social science students and first-time qualitative analysts.

Ian Dey is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Edinburgh, where he regularly teaches research methods to undergraduates. He has extensive experience of computer-based qualitative analysis and is a developer of Hypersoft, a software package for analysing qualitative data.

Qualitative data analysis

A user-friendly guide for social scientists

Ian Dey

LONDON AND NEW YORK

First published 1993 by Routledge

11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge

29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group

This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.

"To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge's collection of thousands of eBooks please go to eBookstore.tandf.co.uk."

? 1993 Ian Dey

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in

writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

ISBN 0-203-41249-4 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-72073-3 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0-415-05851-1 (hbk) ISBN 0-415-05852-X (pbk)

Contents

List of figures, illustrations and tables

vi

Preface

xi

Acknowledgements

xiv

1 Introduction

1

2 What is qualitative data?

10

3 What is qualitative analysis?

31

4 Introducing computers

57

5 Finding a focus

65

6 Managing data

77

7 Reading and annotating

87

8 Creating categories

100

9 Assigning categories

120

10 Splitting and splicing

137

11 Linking data

161

12 Making connections

177

13 Of maps and matrices

201

14 Corroborating evidence

227

15 Producing an account

245

16 Conclusion

272

Appendix 1: `If the Impressionists had been Dentists'

277

Appendix 2: Software

281

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