helps to manage multitudes of words. The software available today falls into
several categories that include word processing, text, analysis, grouping and
linking, and displaying relationships. The type of software researchers choose
is determined by what they intend to do with the data and how the data will
be displayed or managed.
Although software can be extremely helpful in managing large amounts of
data, it does not do the work of coding for the researcher. Qualitative research-
ers are still responsible for analyzing and labeling the data. Software programs
can help with the sorting and grouping of data so that researchers can view
similar statements or categories in a systematic way. This is often referred to as
computer-assisted qualitative data or qualitative data analysis software (Cope,
2014; Houghton et al., 2015), or more currently it is known as Computer Assisted
Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) (University of Surrey, 2017a).
A basic word processor, such as Microsoft Word, generally serves as the initial
data entry software. That is, the interviews or field notes are transcribed from
audiotapes into a word processing document. Such software itself is a useful
tool and works well for simple data analysis. However, if the study is large and
will result in copious amounts of data, it is wise to investigate the benefits of
Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS).
There are so many analysis programs on the market today that the University
of Surrey (2017a) developed the CAQDAS project aimed to provide “practical
support, training and information in the use of a range of software programs
designed to assist qualitative data analysis” (para. 1). The CAQDAS network-
ing project also provides a forum for researchers to discuss qualitative issues
with the use of software and promotes discussion among researchers using
qualitative methods.
Software assists researchers to label statements within the transcriptions,
group them into categories, and then make interpretations or inferences. Some
of the more popular software packages include Roter Interaction Analysis Sys-
tem (RIAS) (Cope, 2014), ATLAS.ti V5, HyperRESEARCH, NVivo, Dedoose,
and C.A.T. (Boston University Information Services and Technology, 2017).
These programs have enormous searching capabilities to help researchers look
through hundreds of pages of text to find items of specific data, group data,
and make charts and graphs, as well as many other features (University of
Surrey, 2017b). Researchers must compare the features of each program and
decide which to use depending on the type of qualitative methods employed.
Qualitative researchers may also use a variety of tools or apps to manage data.
Likewise, Ethnograph (Qualis Research, 2008) is a software program for the
analysis of text-based data that is highly regarded by qualitative researchers,
particularly those doing ethnography. Ethnograph was first introduced in 1985KEY TERM
Computer Assisted
Qualitative Data
Analysis Software
(CAQDAS):
Computer software
that assists in the
management,
coding, grouping,
and analysis of
qualitative data384 CHAPTER 14 What Do the Qualitative Data Mean?