Leading Qualitative Data Analysis

Hello Qualitative Mind,

Last week we talked about teamwork in qualitative research, and this week I’m going to dive into the topic of leading qualitative data analysis.

In qualitative health research it isn’t uncommon to find healthcare providers assisting with qualitative research, including data analysis, who are doing it off the side of their desks (i.e., they committed to doing the work but don't have scheduled time to do it). Then, there you are…the academic or researcher who needs healthcare providers to learn how to collect and analyze qualitative data in order to eventually move from data to paragraphs (if you haven’t checked our free mini masterclass From Qualitative Data to Paragraphs, you certainly want to do so).

It’s not an easy or ideal situation to be in, but it happens. We’ve got to find strategies to move forward with the available resources. I’ve said this before and I will repeat myself…people’s time and minds are the most important resources to successful, publishable qualitative research. So, when you can’t change their time/ availability, you can foster their qualitative mind. ☺

One of the strategies I recommend is one that I also use to train Quali Q contractors and students when they’re starting to work with me. I ask them to choose transcripts from one or two interviews/focus groups for us to analyze together.

We don’t necessarily sit beside each other (pre-pandemic) or book an online meeting to do it. We work individually but then set an hour aside to go through our coded transcripts together. This is when I take the opportunity to emphasize our approach (often inductive vs. deductive), explain the difference between coding and themes, and encourage memo writing and setting interesting quotes aside. At this point, I’m usually using pen and paper or word processor rather than a qualitative data analysis software.

You need to remind yourself that for people who are doing qualitative research “off the side of their desks”, it can be extremely overwhelming and daunting to learn to use a new software (as simple as it may seem to you). Try to keep things simple.

If the timing and progression of the research project are important to you, try to go a step further in supporting other team members involved in qualitative data collection and analysis. You may start a coding book, and give them direction on how to group codes. You may also start a separate file where you encourage people to save quotes that “speak” for codes while clearly explaining that putting quotes together, without the necessary level of description and interpretation, is not enough to make good qualitative writing. Because participants’ quotes bring emotion, depth and reality to text and interpretation, the “amazing quotes” file can become a source of encouragement and inspiration for the whole team.

When working in teams to accomplish qualitative data analysis, keep in mind that the process can feel intimidating because it comes with a lot of responsibility.

As qualitative researchers, we’re naming things and making choices that are related to what someone shared with us. We feel really responsible, as we should, because we are. We’re responsible for honoring our participants and their perspectives, we’re responsible for being respectful and ethical, we’re responsible for communicating strengths and debunking stereotypes. It's no wonder, then, that we feel somewhat intimidated by qualitative data analysis.

With that in mind, try different strategies to work effectively in teams. This will probably mean supporting those who are reading transcript lines and making important decisions about what participants have said and what they meant.

You’ve got this!

Talk soon,

Maira