Qualitative Content Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide

In eight clear-cut steps, this book provides a systematic introduction to qualitative content analysis and how you can use it in each stage of your research project, no matter the type or amount of data. Developed by a leading expert in the field and based on years of teaching experience, this book offers an essential framework for interpreting qualitative data for any social sciences student or researcher. To support you in choosing the best approach for your research, this book includes: ·       Examples of how QCA can be applied to various research processes ·       An introduction to text analysis and its different approaches ·       Discussions of how to use QCA software to benefit your research ·       An online how-to manual to help you get the most out of QCAmap software. It also introduces the process of scientific research, and integrates qualitative and quantitative analysis into the step-by-step approach.

Table of Contents:
Introduction: Why Should we be Concerned With Qualitative Content Analysis? Part I: Foundations of Text Analysis Chapter 1: The Methodological Debate of Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Historical Background Theory of Science Background of the Controversy Is Mixed Methods a Solution? Common Research Criteria for Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches Chapter 2: Importance of Text Analysis in Social Sciences Texts and Numerical Data as Material in Social Sciences Methods of Collecting Textual Material in Social Sciences Projects Chapter 3: Different Approaches of Text Analysis A comparison of Five Qualitative Text Analysis Approaches Social-Hermeneutic Paraphrase Psychoanalytic Text Interpretation Objective Hermeneutics Grounded Theory Coding Qualitative Content Analysis Comparison of the Approaches and Quality Criteria Chapter 4: A Short History of Content Analysis Preliminary Phase Consolidation Phase Fine Developments and Interdisciplinary Expansion Stagnation and “Discontent” with Content Analysis New quantitative approaches in computational linguistics, complex algorithms and text mining Approaches to Qualitative Content Analysis Chapter 5: Basic Principles of Qualitative Content Analysis Embedding the Material within its Communication Context Categories in the Focus of Analysis Defining content analytical units Systematic, Rule-bound Procedure Object Reference in Place of Formal Techniques Theory-guided Character of the Analysis Testing Specific Instruments via Pilot Studies Integrating Quantitative Steps of Analysis Quality Criteria Chapter 6: Procedures of Qualitative Content Analysis Summarizing Qualitative Content Analysis Inductive Category Formation Explication: Narrow and Broad Context Analysis Structuring: Deductive Category Assignment Mixed Procedures Chapter 7: Computer Programs for Supporting Qualitative Content Analysis The Merits of Computer Assistance in Text Analysis QCAmap Software for Qualitative Content Analysis Part II: The 8 Step Qualitative Content Analysis Research Process Chapter 8 Step 1: Forming the Research Question From Themes to Questions How to Formulate a Research Question Example for Step 1: Forming the Research Question Chapter 9 Step 2: Establishing the Theoretical Background of the Study Different Levels of Theory Background Example for Step 2: Establishing the Theoretical Background of the Study Chapter 10 Step 3: Designing the Study Basic Designs for Qualitative (and Quantitative) Research Example for Step 3: Designing the Study Ethical Aspects of a Qualitative Content Analysis Study Chapter 11 Step 4: Gathering Textual Material, Sampling The Quality of the Sample: Establishing a Sampling Strategy Recommendations for Sample Size Describing the Text Corpus for Qualitative Content Analysis Transcription Rules Example for Step 4 (Textual Material) Chapter 12 Step 5: Choosing and Constructing Adequate Methods Summarizing: Procedure and Example Inductive Category Formation: Procedure and Example Explicating (Context Analysis): Procedure and Example Structuring (Deductive Category Assignment): Procedure and Example Mixed Procedures: Theme Analysis, Type Analysis, Parallel Procedures Chapter 13 Step 6: Conducting the Study and Presenting the Results Description of Results Presenting Studies with Summarizing Content Analysis Presenting Inductive Category Formation Presenting Deductive Category Assignment Answering the Research Question Chapter 14 Step 7: Discussing Quality Criteria Classical Quality Criteria Specific Content-analytical Quality Criteria Software Example: Three Levels of Intercoder Agreement Chapter 15 Step 8: Reflecting on Research Implications Theoretical Implications Practical Implications Part III: Indications and Limitations of Qualitative Content Analysis Similar Conceptions of a Qualitative Content Analysis Criticism and Misunderstandings Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Content Analysis Further Developments

About the Author :
Philipp Mayring, born in 1952, studied psychology, education and sociology at Ludwigs-Maximilians University Munich. He is now retired professor for psychological methodology at Alps-Adria University Klagenfurt, was president of the German Association of Evaluation DeGEval and head of the Center for Evaluation and Research Consulting ZEF. He is now head of the Association for Supporting Qualitative Research ASQ, Klagenfurt.  

Review :
Philip Mayring offers a clear, systematic, step-by-step formula for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and novice researchers interested in using qualitative content analysis. The book offers significant context, elaborate detail, and supplements this with clear examples of research in the everyday practice. This book promises to be a well signposted and accessibly written ‘compelling read’ for novices and those new to Qualitative Content Analysis. It is also a `must’ for established researchers wishing to engage with the challenge of a new perspective on QCA. The text invites the reader to consider Content Analysis and appreciate the research journey using a novel and innovative approach. It offers ideas and suggestion, weaving together divergent principles, as well as proposing new tools and models, as means by which the intricacies and challenges littering Content Analysis might be navigated.