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Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer
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Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer
A Practical Guide



May 2008 | 232 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

"[This] is a great self-help book for framing the research effort and guiding the reader through the research process. I can't name another book of this type on the market.
--Ted Gaiser, Boston College

Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer is a practical, hands-on guide to using commonly available everyday technology, including Microsoft software, to manage and streamline research projects.

Chris Hahn uses straight-forward, everyday language to walk readers through this process, drawing on a wide range of examples to demonstrate how easy it is to use such software. This guide is full of useful hints and tips on how to manage research more efficiently and effectively, including:

  • Formatting transcripts for maximum coding efficiency in Microsoft Word
  • Using features of Word to organize the analysis of data and to facilitate efficient qualitative coding
  • Efficiently storing and analyzing qualitative data in Access or Excel to develop categories, themes, and important concepts
  • Creating flexible analytic memos that help lead the researcher to final conclusions and enrich the written report
  • Utilizing inexpensive and easy-to-obtain tools to collect data and manage research projects.

Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer is ideal for those students or researchers who don't want to invest in expensive specialised software packages and who are looking for a result that is more tailored to their individual needs. It will be an invaluable companion for anyone embarking on their own research project.


 
Introduction, Coding Terminology, and the Big Picture
 
Getting Started
Planning your Qualitative Research Project

 
 
Organizing and Controlling your Research
 
Backup your Data
 
Collecting your Data
 
Level 1 Coding
 
Level 2 Coding Using Access
 
Level 2 Coding Using Excel
 
Level 3 and Level 4 (Theoretical Concepts) Coding
 
Writing the Report
The Final Draft

 

'I find your straightforward writing style an absolute joy, such a breath of fresh air!' - Angie Ash, PhD student

'…thank you very much for your accessible language, clear lay out and practical applied approach. I suspect that this book will never be far from my side over the next 4 years!!' - Mayen Konarski, PhD student


'This book broadly achieves what it sets out to do as a self-help guide to conducting qualitative research using a computer, and many entrepreneurship researchers will find some helpful tips and advice in the book' - Entrepreneurship and Innovation


An invaluable text that allows the novice to understand how to analyse qual data

Mrs Amanda Thomas
Faculty of Life Sciences and Education, University of South Wales (Glamorgan)
July 6, 2015

The book is very helpful for postgraduate students who engage in the more extensive qualitative research projects. As such we recommend the book to the master students. Obviously, we will also refer undergraduate students to this interesting source if they are working on similar projects.

Mr Sjoerd Gehrels
Hotel Management School, Stenden Hogeschool
September 9, 2013

highly recommended practical guidance - though could do with updating to reflect Windows 7.

Dr Stephen Gourlay
Kingston Business School, Kingston University
June 6, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

PDF File of Chapter One


This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.