Qualitative Research Design for Software Users

"Di Gregorio & Davidson provide an essential guide for qualitative researchers who wish to get to grips with the potential of software packages for handling qualitative data, research design and ethical and privacy issues ... The authors open up new ground … by integrating the discussion of qualitative data analysis software into the wider context of methodological practice. The authors' arguments and general approach are illustrated in an accessible and engaging manner through the use of detailed case studies of qualitative research using a range of software packages. A smooth read, crammed full of invaluable advice and 'best practice' guidelines and checklists…"
Derek Layder, University of Leicester, UK

This book is an essential guide for anyone using qualitative data analysis software (QDAS), particularly useful for those who want to go beyond a basic introduction to discover how to get the most out of software and how to identify the methodological issues they need to consider.

The book is organized in three parts - the first part addresses the methodological issues that need to be addressed when designing qualitative research using QDAS; the second part uses case studies to demonstrate the issues and the design framework introduced in the first part. These chapters are supported by numerous screenshots illustrating the software under discussion. The last part contains practical appendices to help readers apply the framework introduced to their own research.

Di Gregorio and Davidson introduce:

• The notion of the E-Project or electronic project as a genre
• A framework for representing the research design of a project in any QDAS package
• Ethical considerations when working in QDAS
• A variety of contextual issues including national and organizational differences
• Eight real research projects of a variety of designs and using different QDAS (ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight)
• Separate checklists for ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight, providing practical help in applying the research design framework presented in the book

Uniquely, the book examines issues related to both academic and non-academic uses of QDAS.

Qualitative Research Design for Software Users is a useful reference for upper level students, academics and researchers across a range of disciplines.

Silvana diGregorio is a sociologist who founded SdG Associates in 1996 after 20 years in academia. She consults and runs training courses in a variety of software packages supporting qualitative analysis in the UK, Europe and USA.

Judith Davidson is Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, USA. She teaches courses in qualitative research and action research.