Common Tasks for Qualitative Data Analysis Software
Given the use of a common set of research methods, "generic" software tools can be are useful to a wide range of qualitative researchers (except the least structured). QDA software can help with many of these tasks, and ease or speed tasks that are difficult or impractical using pencil and paper methods.
The core cross-method task include:
- Segmenting text (or graphics or audio or video) to highlight key material [as a form of data reduction];
- Labeling or coding selected text segments or passages [for descriptive, conceptual or interpretive purposes];
- Retrieving selected text passages;
- Retrieving sets of selected text passages with embedded, overlapping, nested or fully distinct sets of codes;
- Automated or semi-automated search functions to insure thorough and complete identification of text passages with like/similar meaning;
- Printing any selected set(s) of text passages for review;
- Attaching notes or memos to selected text, codes or projects as a whole;
- Allowing easy revision(s) of the coding structure and tracking changes made;
- Saving the many iterations of the text segmenting and coding structures;
- Sharing data sets and coding structures by file for sharing with other researchers at a distance.
- Allowing export of data to statistical software, typically SPSS, in which
- Nominal categories and carefully coded ordinal hierarchical data can be re-formatted as quantitative data, and
- Aiding multi-method research.