Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis

This text examines the central methodological and theoretical issues involved in using computers in qualitative research. International experts in the field discuss various strategies for computer-assisted qualitative analysis in a comprehensive manner. Topics covered include: strategies for building theories by employing networks of categories; means of evaluating hypotheses generated from qualitative data; and ways of integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques. Questions addressed include: will the software employed “take over” the analysis?; can computers be used to improve reliability and validity?; and can computers make the research process more transparent and ensure a more systematic analysis? This text should be useful for researchers and graduate students across the social sciences who are engaged in qualitative research.

Author Biography

Udo Kelle is a Senior Researcher at the Special Research Centre 186 of the German National Research Council at the University of Bremen. CONTRIBUTORS OUTSIDE WESTERN HEMISPHERE Kelle: Computer-Aided Qualitative Research Luis Araujo University of Lancaster Ian Dey University of Edinburgh Thomas Eckert WZB Berlin Raymond M Lee Royal Holloway and Bedford College University of London Nigel G Fielding University of Surrey Gunter Huber Tubingen University Udo Kuckartz Free University Berlin Heather Laurie University of Essex Markku Lonkila University of Helsinki Rainer Mathes WZB Berlin Lyn Richards La Trobe University Bundoora Bundoora Tom Richards La Trobe University Bundoora Edeltraub Roller WZB Berlin