Chapter 4: Data Analyses: Qualitative and Mixed Methods

Today we will examine the section of c.4 in qualitative studies and mixed methods: Data Analyses. This section asks that you clearly describe how you went about analyzing your qualitative data. To begin, you will outline the overall process that you used to move inductively from coded units to larger representations including categories and themes. If you followed a specific methodologist's methods (e.g., Creswell) cite him or her.  

Next, you move into the specifics of your data by describing the specific codes, categories, and themes that emerged from the data using quotations as needed to emphasize their importance. Keep in mind that you are walking the reader through the process of your data analysis, so share specifics- how did you make decisions as to what were themes?  

Finally, in most studies you will have a person or two who discussed experiences or ideas that were outside the normal experience of the others in your sample, these are called discrepant cases. Describe how these discrepant cases differed from the rest of the sample and how they were factored into the analysis. You should also consider whether there are obvious reasons for their differences, are these individuals older, younger, or in some other way different from others in the sample? 

Next time we will talk about Chapter 4: Trustworthines. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu