Qualitative Research Design for Software Users

This book is an essential guide for anyone using qualitative data analysis software (QDAS), particularly useful for those who want to go beyond a basic introduction to discover how to get the most out of software and how to identify the methodological issues they need to consider.

The book is organized in three parts – the first part addresses the methodological issues that need to be addressed when designing qualitative research using QDAS; the second part uses case studies to demonstrate the issues and the design framework introduced in the first part. These chapters are supported by numerous screenshots illustrating the software under discussion. The last part contains practical appendices to help readers apply the framework introduced to their own research.

Di Gregorio and Davidson introduce:

• The notion of the E-Project or electronic project as a genre
• A framework for representing the research design of a project in any QDAS package
• Ethical considerations when working in QDAS
• A variety of contextual issues including national and organizational differences
• Eight real research projects of a variety of designs and using different QDAS (ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight)
• Separate checklists for ATLAS.ti, MAXqda, NVIVO, and XSight, providing practical help in applying the research design framework presented in the book

Qualitative Research Design for Software Users is a useful reference for upper level students, academics and researchers across a range of disciplines.

Judith Davidson is Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, USA. She teaches courses in qualitative research and action research.