Frame Analysisįrame analysis is rooted in psychiatry and psychology, and explains social phenomena through symbolic-interpretive constructs or frames that people adopt in their normal daily lives. This approach helps make comparisons and in construction of hypothesis.Ĭonstant comparison is comparing new data with previously collected data coding the same to develop theoretical categories. Matrix analysis or logical analysis involves categorization and arranging collected data in flow charts, tables, diagrams and other forms of representation to represent the cause and process in a tabular, pictorial or graphical manner. Two qualitative methods of data analysis of a comparative analysis nature are matrix analysis and constant comparison. Comparative AnalysisĬomparative analysis involves analyzing data from different settings or groups, but belonging to the same point in time and/or the same settings, to identify similarities and differences. Interviews - Direct interview of the subject or people closely associated with subject, on life history.Biographical Research - The analysis of a person’s written account or narrative, usually the life history, trying to identify the epiphany or turning point.The forms of discourse analysis include semiotics, deconstruction and narrative analysis. Discourse Analysis - Language and literature is a reflection of the world around the writer, and discourse analysis is the study of the world, society, events and psyche as represented in language and discourse.
A related branch is conversation analysis, or fine-grained analysis of natural talk based interactions to construct patterns of social order. Ethnomethodology - Defining and interpreting everyday life through people’s talk and interactions.Field Research - The observation of any normal every day event in the environment where it occurs.There is no rigid method or process for ethnography, and the tools include other multi-method qualitative tools, such as: It focuses on capturing the values, ideas, and material practices articulated by the subject. EthnographyĮthnography is the study of people in their natural settings to capture their ordinary and normal activities. Success depends on testing cases with new varieties of data to validate or revise established linkages, until negative cases cease to exist. The methodology of analytical induction is inspecting initial cases to identify common factors and the seek explanation for existing linkages, and reworking the explanations based on the findings from new cases.
Analytic InductionĪnalytic induction is the progressive redefinition of a concept by collecting data, developing analysis, and organizing the findings to construct and testing causal links between events and actions. It is a systematic and interactive inquiry process that involves a three step cyclical process of and fact-finding or examining the practices for improvements, planning for improvements, and implementing new practices or taking action. As the name suggests, action research is research through actions.
Action ResearchĪnother popular qualitative data analysis method is action research.
#TYPES OF QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS METHODS SERIES#
Even when conducting a series of case studies, comparisons between two or more cases would remain faulty, as each case study has a specific design which need not necessary remain suitable for making comparisons. The study focuses on all aspects and dimensions of the case in question, aimed at illustrating viewpoints or theories rather than making comparisons. Case StudyĬase studies are the most popular qualitative methods of data analysis.Ī case study method focuses on the in depth study of a single, usually complex series of events, that make up a case.
Qualitative Analysis aims at securing an in depth understanding or the “why” and “how” of human behavior and decision making, over “what,” “when” and “where.” It produces specific information on the cases studied rather than general conclusions and is used to gain support for research hypothesis.