Some Insight into Qualitative Analysis

N.I.Teufel-Shone, PhD

College of Public Health

University of Arizona

SREP 2015

Nature of Qualitative Data Notes from observations or individual or

group interviews Full transcripts from individual or group

interviews Video of interviews Excerpts from newsletter/newspaper articles Photographs

From participants Of community events and/or notifications

Task

Address the purpose or research question close at hand. Why did we asking this question?

Analysis process involves a systematic examination of the data to identify significant concepts, sifting trivia from significance

Units of analysis

Line-by-line, examining Phrases Words

Or larger units, examining whole sentences, paragraphs or responses to specific questions

Use of codes in analysis Software assisted qualitative analysis uses a

code based system (NVIVO, ATLAS) Codes are derived inductively during the data

review Codes reflect recurring phrases or concepts Codes are used to develop a code book that

guides computer assisted search Frequency and distribution of codes is

summarized to contribute to interpretation

Investigator and Consensus Content Analysis

Searching text for recurring concepts or ideas

No coding Identifying core consistencies and ideas

Pattern and Theme Identification Group phrases and observations of similar

content to reveal a descriptive pattern Content analysis reveal patterns Collectively those patterns to yield a theme A Theme is an overarching concept

Thematic Analysis

Identification of a theme

Example from “Safe Places” Project

ThemeResponsible People

Pattern •Safety associated with the presence of

responsible siblings/adults • Safety associated with people not place

Content“I go to my Grandma’s house when my house is empty”

“I feel good when my older sister is taking care of us”Data: Interview Notes

Triangulated data sources: Observational notes,Youth photographs