Advanced Computer-assisted Qualitative Data Analysis using Nvivo 9 and Nvivo 9 Server

Those choosing to enrol in this course will normally be working on a research project on their own or as part of a research team, and will be seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in higher-level data analysis, theory building, validating findings, producing reports and accounts, and researching in team contexts. The course is designed as an advanced course in qualitative data analysis for existing NVivo users. It will also suit users of other qualitative data analysis software programs such as Atlas.ti and MAXqda who wish to convert to NVivo 9. It assumes basic mastery of skills in data management and analysis, including coding. The course builds on these skills to equip users to undertake advanced data analysis, to contribute to and manage projects in research teams, and to produce effective accounts of their research. The focus is on applying advanced tools from the NVivo tool kit to research in progress through hands-on experience, including experience of working in a team. Sample NVivo projects will be provided but participants should bring a current NVivo project of their own.
  
Part I: New data management and coding processes in NVivo 9, including working with spreadsheet data, classifying Nodes and Sources, and interfacing with EndNote. Techniques for reviewing progress and planning further exploration and analysis.
 
Part II: Tools for teams. Working with NVivo Server 9, including identifying implications for project management and the roles of team members. Tools for managing, monitoring and comparing contributions of team members.
 
Part III: Advanced data analysis. Exploring themes and patterns using advanced Queries, Similarity Diagrams, Tree Maps and other exploration tools. Critiquing coding structures. Moving from descriptive coding to categorical, thematic, conceptual or theoretical coding.
 
Part IV: Testing hypotheses and establishing credibility. Posing questions to test the strength of emerging propositions and/or conclusions drawn from data analysis. Identifying ways of answering these questions using Queries and other exploration and visualisation tools in NVivo.
 
Part V:  Building an account. Critiquing reports of current research that have used NVivo to establish criteria for good reporting. Using NVivo’s tools for representing and reporting findings: generating reports, visualising, charting and mapping concepts, exporting material, and interfacing with other software including Microsoft Word PowerPoint and Excel.