ANALYSIS OF QUALITATIVE DATA
EXAMPLE BOX 1
Example of Domain Analysis Worksheet
- Semantic relationship: Strict inclusion
- Form: X (is a type of) Y
- Example: An oak (is a type of) tree
terms. Prepare a worksheet for each domain rela-
tionship. The worksheet contains the cover term, the
list of included terms, and the semantic relationship
(see Example Box 1, Example of Domain Analysis
Worksheet).
Next you locate your examples of the domain
relationship from your notes. The analysis proceeds
until all relevant domains have been identified. You
then organize the domains by comparing their
differences and similarities. Finally, reorganize
domains into typologies or taxonomies and reex-
amine the domains to create new, broader ones that
include other domains as included terms (see
Expansion Box 5, Summary of Steps in Domain
Analysis). The process builds up from specifics in
the notes to an overall set of logical relationships.^15
Analytic Comparison
The British philosopher and theorist John Stuart
Mill (1806–1873) developed a logic of comparison
that is still widely used today. His method of agree-
ment and method of difference form the basis for
analytic comparison.^16 We can use the ideal type,
successive approximation, the illustrative method,
and domain analysis to examine qualitative data
from a single case or from multiple cases; however,
analytic comparison requires multiple cases. Ana-
lytic comparison uses a quasi-experimental ap-
proach that combines deductive with inductive
theorizing. Basically, you identify many factors for
a set of cases, sort through logical combinations of
INCLUDED TERMS
SEMANTIC
RELATIONSHIP
COVER
TERM
laundromat, hotel lobby
motor box, orchard is a type of
flop
flophouse, under bridge
box car, alley
public toilet, steam grate
Structural question: Would you call an alley a flop?
INCLUDED TERMS
SEMANTIC
RELATIONSHIP
COVER
TERM
trusty, ranger
bull cook, mopper is a type of
jail inmate
head trusty, lockup
bullet man, sweeper
lawn man, inmate’s barber
Structural question: Would you call a trusty a type of jail inmate?
Analytic comparison Qualitative data analysis tech-
nique that uses the method of agreement and the
method of difference to discover causal factors that
affect an outcome among a set of cases.
