Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis: Theory, Methods and Practice

This text examines the central methodological and theoretical issues involved in using computers in qualitative research. International experts in the field discuss various strategies for computer-assisted qualitative analysis in a comprehensive manner. Topics covered include: strategies for building theories by employing networks of categories; means of evaluating hypotheses generated from qualitative data; and ways of integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. Questions addressed include: will the software employed "take over" the analysis?; can computers be used to improve reliability and validity?; and can computers make the research process more transparent and ensure a more systematic analysis? This text should be useful for researchers and graduate students across the social sciences who are engaged in qualitative research.

Table of Contents:
Introduction - Udo Kelle An Overview of Computer-Aided Methods in Qualitative Research PART ONE: GENERAL METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES Computer Use in Qualitative Research and Issues of Validity - Udo Kelle and Heather Laurie User Experiences of Qualitative Data Analysis Software - Raymond M Lee and Nigel G Fielding Grounded Theory as an Emerging Paradigm for Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis - Marrku Lonkila Different Functions of Coding in the Analysis of Textual Data - John Seidel and Udo Kelle PART TWO: COMPUTERS AND QUALITATIVE THEORY BUILDING Introduction: Using Linkages and Networks for Theory Building - Gerald Prein and Udo Kelle in discussion with Lyn Richards and Tom Richards Reducing Fragmentation in Qualitative Research - Ian Dey Using Hierarchical Categories in Qualitative Data Analysis - Tom Richards and Lyn Richards Designing and Refining Hierarchical Coding Frames - Luis Araujo PART THREE: COMPUTERS AND QUALITATIVE HYPOTHESIS EXAMINATION Introduction - Udo Kelle in discussion with Ernest Sibert, Anne Shelly, Sharlene Hesse-Biber and G[um]unter L Huber Hypothesis Examination in Qualitative Research Using Logic Programming for Hypothesis Generation and Refinement - Ernest Sibert and Anne Shelly Hypothesis Testing in Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis - Sharlene Hesse-Biber and Paul Dupuis Qualitative Hypothesis Examination and Theory Building - G[um]unter L Huber PART FOUR: COMPUTERS AND TRIANGULATION Introduction - Gerald Prein and Udo Kuckartz in discussion with Edeltraud Roller, Charles C Ragin and Udo Kelle Between Quality and Quantity Case-Oriented Quantification - Udo Kuckartz Hermeneutic-Classificatory Content Analysis - Edeltraud Roller, Rainer Mathes and Thomas Eckert Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis to Study Configurations - Charles C Ragin An Overview of Software - Gerald Prein, Udo Kelle and Katherine Bird

About the Author :
Udo Kelle is a Senior Researcher at the Special Research Centre 186 of the German National Research Council at the University of Bremen. CONTRIBUTORS OUTSIDE WESTERN HEMISPHERE Kelle: Computer-Aided Qualitative Research Luis Araujo University of Lancaster Ian Dey University of Edinburgh Thomas Eckert WZB Berlin Raymond M Lee Royal Holloway and Bedford College University of London Nigel G Fielding University of Surrey Gunter Huber Tubingen University Udo Kuckartz Free University Berlin Heather Laurie University of Essex Markku Lonkila University of Helsinki Rainer Mathes WZB Berlin Lyn Richards La Trobe University Bundoora Bundoora Tom Richards La Trobe University Bundoora Edeltraub Roller WZB Berlin

Review :
`It is fair to state that the authors have succeeded in providing a stimulating and at times challenging treatment of the issues associated with working with textual data. This text will be of particular value to those seeking to understand the latest developments in computer analysis of textual data and the associated possibilities. It is particularly timely as the business related disciplines (management, strategic management and marketing, and consumer behaviour) appear to be showing a degree of disillusionment with quantitative methods and turning their thoughts towards the richer possibilities of qualitative research.... Each section is preceded by an excellent introductory chapter. Indeed, it is a major positive feature of the text that these introductory chapters not only provide the usual overview or summary of the material that is to follow, but also present a creative and valuable exposition of the content in their own right.... An interesting discussion of the functions of coding is provided and there is an extended case study of a user′s software experience.... an excellent text which should be read by all management researchers and may be suitable as a text for PhD and other advanced research courses′ - Management Learning `It is not expensive for 210 pages packed with detail, and with contributors widely distributed thanks to e-mail; although US and Europe predominate′ - Changes `What Kelle and collaborators Prein and Bird have provided is a highly unique and stimulating contribution to this topic. Investigators using qualitative methods and pondering the use, implications and potential of computers for analytic purposes should find this text to be a provocative addition to the literature′ - Computers in Nursing