Box 14.1
Different approaches to qualitative analysis
1 Quasi-statistical approaches
- Use word or phrase frequencies and inter-correlations as key methods of determining the relative importance of terms and concepts.
- Typified by content analysis
2 Template approaches
- Key codes are determined either on an a priori basis (e.g. derived from theory or research questions) or from an initial read of the data.
- These codes then serve as a template (or ‘bins’ ) for data analysis; the template may be changed as analysis continues.
- Text segments which are empirical evidence for template categories are identified.
- Typified by matrix analysis, where descriptive summaries of the text segments are supplemented by matrices, network maps, flow charts and diagrams.
3 Editing approaches
- More interpretive and flexible than the above.
- No (or few) a priori codes.
- Codes are based on the researcher’s interpretation of the meanings or patterns in the texts.
- Typified by grounded theory approaches.
4 Immersion approaches
- Least structured and most interpretive, emphasizing researcher insight, intuition and creativity.
- Methods are fluid and not systematized.
- Close to literary/ artistic interpretation and connoisseurship (i.e. calling for expert knowledge and targeted at a similarly skilled audience).
- Difficult to reconcile with the scientific approach.
(Based, in part, on Drisko, 2000.)