Computer assisted qualitative research analysis software

Draft

Definition

Computer Assisted Qualitative Research Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

CAQDAS Software has been around for quite some time now (see Fielding, 1993). According to Bhowmick (2006), Weitzman and Miles (1995) classified these software into five categories. These are

1. Text Retrievers
2. Textbase Managers
3. Code and Retrieve programs
4. Code Based Theory Builders
5. Conceptual Network Builders

Some software (e.g. the popular ATLAS-ti and NVivo are both coding and conceptual network builders).

Links

General

• The CAQDAS Networking Project

Indexes and comparisons

• Comparative reviews of software by Graham R. Gibbs, University of Huddersfield, 2008-2011. This web page points to several interesting review / comparison papers.
• The KWALON Experiment: Discussions on Qualitative Data Analysis Software by Developers and Users, FQS Vol 12, No 1 (2011). This issue includes a series of articles: Each on analyses the same data set with different tools
• DSchneider found Bhowmick (2006) to be a good overview. This article also addresses challenges to the CAQDAS community, in particular the lack of reasoning ability. But rather see the links above, e.g. start from OnLineQDA page above.

Software

The three most popular data coding / analysis software seem to be:

• ATLAS.ti - The Knowledge Workbench.
• Nvivo (formerly Nudist).
• CAT, a free service of the Qualitative Data Analysis Program (QDAP). You can install your own server
• QDA Miner

References

• Christine A. Barry (1998) 'Choosing Qualitative Data Analysis Software: Atlas/ti and Nudist Compared' Sociological Research Online, vol. 3, no. 3, HTML.

• Bhowmick, T (2006). Building an Exploratory Visual Analysis Tool for Qualitative Researchers, Autocarto 2006 ,Vancouver, WA PDF

• Bringer, Joy D., Johnston, Lynne Halley, Brackenridge, Celia H. (2006). Using Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software to Develop a Grounded Theory Project Field Methods 2006 18: 245-266 Abstract (PDF (Access restricted)).

• Hypermedia and Ethnography: Reflections on the Construction of a Research Approach, by Bella Dicks and Bruce Mason, Sociological Research Online, vol. 3, no. 3, HTML

• Fielding, Nigel (1993). Analysing qualitative data by computer, Social Research Update, Department of Sociology, University of Surrey HTML