Diagrams and Qualitative Data
Qualitative researchers have moved toward presenting summaries of their data analysis in the form of diagrams and charts. They have many ways to present data analysis. Diagrams and charts help them organize ideas and systematically investigate relations in the data, as well as communicate results to readers. Researchers first use spatial or temporal maps (see Chapter 14) typology (see Chapter 3), or sociograms (see Chapter 9). For example, in his study of Little League baseball, Fine (1987) used sociograms to present the social relations among players Likewise, Spradley’s (1979a, 1979b) domain analysis makes extensive use of taxonomies.
Quantitative researchers have developed many graphs, tables, charts, and pictorial devices to present information. Qualitative researchers are beginning to do the same. Miles and Huberman (1994) advanced the visual presentation of qualitative data. They argued that data display is a critical part of qualitative analysis. In addition to taxonomies, maps, and lists, they suggested the use of flowcharts, organizational charts analysis (see, causal diagrams, and various lists and grids to illustrate Figure 16.4). An example of a diagram to assist qualitative analysis is found in Broadbent’s (1989a, 1989b) study of Japanese environmental politics. He created a set of 24 small boxes in a table to analyze and present his results. Six different political groups (e.g., political party, union, business interests, the legislature) are named across the top, and four levels or arenas of political conflict (national, prefectural, town, neighborhood) are listed up and down the side of the table to form the 24 boxes. Thus, each box represents the actions of a political group at a particular level or in one arena of politics. Broadbent drew arrows between the boxes to indicate a sequence of coalition formation, political conflict, or attempts at political influence among the groups at the different levels based on specific events and political actions.