Qualitative Data Analysis

Qualitative data is an iterative process of individual and group level review and interpretation.

There are mainly three steps of qualitative data processing and analysis:

1. Data Collection
2. Process Data
3. Analyse Data

Figure: Qualitative Data Processing and Analysis

1) Data Collection:

We collect the data through observation, interview or even we may have things that we observe known as archive. All that is obtained are known as raw data.

2) Process Data:

The raw data are in the format of audio-recording or visual recording (photos, videos, etc.), jotted notes or note taking and memory and emotions. The jotted notes and, memory and emotions are considered as field notes. All these data formats are known as recorded data.

Besides recorded data, there may be also artifacts, documents, other’s observation or previous researches.

3) Analyse Data:

The recorded data are analysed in following steps:

      

        a. Sort and Classify:

First the recorded data are sorted and classified, categorized and segmented according to research objectives.

        b. Open Coding:

After sorting, we do the open coding. It is the process whereby we start to listen, observe, read all of our data obtained and try to make out sense of it.

        c. Axial Coding:

Then we perform axial coding in which we scrutinize or re-examine what we have done in open coding.  We start to identify any data that can relate each other. We start to group the data according to the variables.

        d. Selective Coding:

It is the final part of coding. We re-examine what we did in axial coding. We illustrate the variables, the concept that we try to explain in order to see the relationship (in-depth understanding). We compare the variables.

        e. Interpret and elaborate:

Finally, we interpret and elaborate the findings of the study.

To some extent, we go back to find more data to find further explanation of what we got in open, axial and selective coding. So, there is back and forth approach during the qualitative analysis. At a saturation point, when no more ideas and concepts are obtained we stop collecting data.