Qualitative data refers to non-numeric information such as interview transcripts, notes, video and audio recordings, images and text documents. Qualitative data analysis can be divided into the following five categories: 1. Content analysis. This refers to the process of categorizing verbal or behavioural data to classify, summarize and tabulate the data. 2. Narrative analysis. This method involves the reformulation of stories presented by respondents taking into account context of each case and different experiences of each respondent. In other words, narrative analysis is the revision of primary qualitative data by researcher. 3. Discourse analysis. A method of analysis of naturally occurring talk and all types of written text. 4. Framework analysis. This is more advanced method that consists of several stages such as familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, coding, charting, mapping and interpretation. 5. Grounded theory. This method of qualitative data analysis starts with an analysis of a single case to formulate a theory. Then, additional cases are examined to see if they contribute to the theory.   Qualitative data analysis can be conducted through the following three steps:   Step 1: Developing and Applying Codes. Coding can be explained as categorization of data. A ‘code’ can be a word or a short phrase that represents a theme or an idea. All codes need to be assigned meaningful titles. A wide range of non-quantifiable elements such as events, behaviours, activities, meanings etc. can be coded. There are three types of coding: Open coding. The initial organization of raw data to try to make sense of it. Axial coding. Interconnecting and linking the categories of codes. Selective coding. Formulating the story through connecting the categories. Coding can be done manually or using qualitative data analysis software such as  NVivo,  Atlas ti 6.0,  HyperRESEARCH 2.8,  Max QDA and others. When using manual … Continue reading Qualitative Data Analysis