Qualitative Data Analysis EDUC60562MSc Ed.Res and Ph.D. 2007/8: course outline

  • The aim of this course is to facilitate thoughtfulconsideration of the key decisions and processes involved in the analysis of qualitative data.
  • There are many ways to analyse qualitative data, but also many ways to do it badly – the skill is in knowing what to do when, and how. Skill comes with practice.
  • The course involves discussion of examples, and practical engagement in analysis.
  • Weekly sessions will include a group task requiring some preparation beforehand – usually some reading.

Week / Summary / Group work
Week 1
31st Jan / 1. What analytical approach will help me in answering this research question?
2. How can I increase the validity of the process and findings of the research?
3. How can I demonstrate the validity of process and findings of the research?
Organising and handling data: filing, backing up, transcription, notes
‘Intro to QDA’ handout
- RQ – Theoretical frameworks – Approach to analysis -
Sanger on analysis and creativity / ‘Introduction to qualitative data analysis’
Week 2
7th Feb / - Theoretical sensitivity – RQ – approach to analysis -
Work through possible analysis for eg. working with support staff
Comparison of methods; teacher and pupil data to read / Sanger: analysis and creativity
Week 3
14th Feb / Thematic analysis – Main Road maths teachers
Introduction to constant comparative method and Atlas-ti
Ely et al on experience of analysis / TLRP research briefing / Data / Sanger
Week 4
21st Feb / Documentary Analysis (example and exercise)
Intro to narrative analysis
identifying narratives / Ely et al: doing analysis
Week 5
28th Feb / In CG55…. Discourse analysis
Narrative analysis
Week 6
6th March / Documentary analysis
Atlas-ti workshop 1
Please email reflections on the course so far (problems, issues) to Andy; David Silverman / University prospectus or similar
Week 7
13th Mar / Review and planning – dealing with issues arising, looking ahead to assignments.
Analysis of / with images
Atlas-ti workshop 2
Flick, Maxwell on validity and other quality issues / Paper by Silverman
Week 8
10th April / Reflecting on validity and reflexivity
Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches
The significance of negative instances
Fairclough on critical discourse analysis, Beth Cross journal article / Maxwell
Week 9
17th April / An overviewof qualitative data analysis / Article by Beth Cross
Week 10
24th April / Assignments in focus
For the lasttwo weeks of the module, you are invited to present some of your data and ongoing analysis for discussion in the session. Email Andy to offer please.
Week 11
1st May / Assignments in focus

Andy Howes:

Assessment

Analysing Qualitative Data (4,000 - 8,000 words): an analysis with commentary, and examples of data in appendices. In this assignment you should :

  • Select some data which you consider likely to assist in exploring a research topic or answering a research question
  • Demonstrate the use of some strategies for analysing this, using qualitative approaches
  • Reflect on the process(es) that you adopt, and on issues of validity

Further guidance notes will be provided during the course.

KEY TEXTS:

Anderson, B. (1991) Imagined Communities: Reflections on the origin and spread of nationalismLondon: Verso.

Atkinson, P. (1992) Understanding Ethnographic TextsLondon: Sage.

Ball, S. (1990) Politics and Policy making in Education: Explorations in policy sociologyLondon: Routledge.

Barry, C.A. (1998) "Choosing Qualitative Data Analysis Software: Atlas/ti and Nudist Compared" Sociological Research Online 3/3. See

Basit, T. (2003) "Manual or electronic? The role of coding in qualitative data analysis" Educational Research 45/2: 143-154

Cameron, D. (1992) Feminism and Linguistic TheoryBasingstoke: Macmillan.

Chouliaraki, L. & Fairclough, N. (1999) Discourse in late modernity : rethinking critical discourse analysisEdinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Coffey, A., Holbrook, B. & Atkinson, P. (1996) "Qualitative Data Analysis: Technologies and Representations"Sociological Research Online 1/1. See

Ely, M., Vinz, R., Downing, M. and Anzul, M. (1997) On Writing Qualitative Research. London. Falmer.

Fairclough, N. (1992) Discourse and Social ChangeCambridge: Polity Press.

Fairclough, N. (1995) Critical Discourse AnalysisLondon: Longman.

Feldman, M. S. (1995) Strategies for Interpreting Qualitative Data. London. Sage.

Flick, U. (2006) An introduction to qualitative research 3rd Edition, London: SAGE Publications.

Foucault, M. (1980) Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and Other WritingsNew York: Harvester Wheatsheaf.

Foucault, M. (1976) The History of Sexuality: Volume OneLondon: Allen Lane.

Fowler, R. (1991) Language in the NewsLondon: Routledge.

Geertz, C. (1988) Works and Lives: The anthropologist as authorCambridge: Polity Press.

Hammersley, M. (1990) Reading Ethnographic ResearchHarlow: Longman.

Harari, J. (Ed) (1979) Textual Strategies: Perspectives in post-structuralist criticismIthaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

Lofland, John and Lyn Lofland. 1995.Analyzing Social Settings: A Guide to Qualitative Observation and Analysis. (Third Edition)Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Reay, D., David, M. & Ball, S. (2001) "Making a Difference?: Institutional Habituses and Higher Education Choice" Sociological Research Online 5/4. See

Reissman, Catherine Kohler. 1993.Narrative Analysis.Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Sacks, H. (1992) Lectures on Conversation: Volume TwoOxford: Blackwell.

Silverman, D. (1993-) Interpreting Qualitative Data London: Sage.

Sontag, S. (1990) AIDS and its Metaphors Harmondsworth: Penguin.

Stake, R. E. (1995) The Art of Case Study Research. London. Sage.

Steier, R. (Ed) Research and Reflexivity. London. Sage.

Strauss, Anselm and Juliet Corbin. 1998.Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. (Second Edition)Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Stronach, I. and MacLure, M. (1997) Educational Research Undone Buckingham: Open University Press.