Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software
Computer Assisted/Aided Qualitative Data AnalysiS (CAQDAS) offers tools that assist with qualitative research such as transcription analysis, coding and text interpretation, recursive abstraction, content analysis, discourse analysis,[1] grounded theory methodology, etc.
Definition
CAQDAS is used in psychology, marketing research, ethnography, public health and other social sciences. The CAQDAS Networking project[2] lists the following tools a CAQDAS program should have:
- Content searching tools
- Coding tools
- Linking tools
- Mapping or networking tools
- Query tools
- Writing and annotation tools
Comparison of CAQDAS software
Application | Type | License | Source | Last Release | Analyses | OS Supported | Tools |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aquad | Client | Free - GPL | Open | 2015-07 | Text, Audio, Video, Graphics | Windows | Coding, Sequnce Analysis, Exploratory Data Analysis |
ATLAS.ti | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-12 | Text | Windows, macOS, iPad, Android | Coding, Aggregation, Query, Visualisation |
Cassandre | Client | Free - GPL | Open | 2016-01 | Text | All (java-based) | Coding |
CLAN | Client | Free - GPL | Open | 2017-02 | Text | Windows, macOS, Linux | Coding |
Coding Analysis Toolkit (CAT) | Web-based | Free - GPL | Open | 2014-06-28[3] | Text | All (web browser) | Coding |
Compendium/CompendiumNG[4] | Client | Free - LGPL | Open | 2014-02 | Text | All (java-based) | Coding |
Dedoose | Web-based | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-12 | Text, Audio, Video | All (web browser) | Coding, Query, Visualisation, Statistical Tools |
ELAN | Client | Free - GPL | Open | 2017-01-09 | Video Audio | Windows, macOS, Linux | Coding |
f4analyse | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-11 | Text | Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, Android | Coding |
HyperRESEARCH | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2015-08-10[5] | Windows, macOS | ||
KH Coder | Client | Free- GPL | Open | 2015-12-29[6] | Text | Windows, Linux, macOS | |
MAXQDA | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-10 | Text, Images, Audio, Video | Windows, macOS | Coding, Aggregation, Query, Visualisation, Statistical Tools |
NVivo | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2017-02 | Text | Windows, macOS | Coding, Aggregation, Query, Visualisation |
QDA Miner | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-11 | Windows | ||
QDA Miner Lite | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2017-01-12 | Text | Windows | Coding |
Qiqqa | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2016-09 | Windows, Android | ||
Quantitative Discourse Analysis Package (qdap) (R package) | Client | Free- GPL | Open | 2016-11 [7] | Text | Windows, macOS, Linux | Word extracting, statistical analysis, visualization |
Quirkos | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2017-03 | Text | Win, macOS, Linux,[8] Android | Coding, Query, Visualisation |
RQDA (R package) | Client | Free- GPL | Open | 2016-12[9] | Text | Windows, macOS, Linux | Coding, Aggregation, Query, Visualisation |
Transana | Client | GPL [10] | Open | 2017-02 [11] | Video Audio Text | Windows, macOS | Coding |
XSight | Client | Proprietary | Closed | 2006 (abandoned) | Windows |
Pros and cons
Such software helps to organize, manage and analyse information.[12] The advantages of using this software include saving time, managing huge amounts of qualitative data, having increased flexibility, having improved validity and auditability of qualitative research, and being freed from manual and clerical tasks. Concerns include increasingly deterministic and rigid processes, privileging of coding, and retrieval methods; reification of data, increased pressure on researchers to focus on volume and breadth rather than on depth and meaning, time and energy spent learning to use computer packages, increased commercialism, and distraction from the real work of analysis.[13]
See also
- Comparison of survey software
- Idea networking
- Multimethodology
- Computer Assisted Mixed Methods Research Analysis Software
- Qualitative economics
- Qualitative marketing research
- Qualitative psychological research
- Quantitative research
- Sampling (case studies)
- Sensemaking
References
- ↑ Paulus, Trena M.; Lester, Jessica Nina. "ATLAS.ti for conversation and discourse analysis studies". International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 19 (4): 405–428. doi:10.1080/13645579.2015.1021949.
- ↑ "CAQDAS". Retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ↑ https://sourceforge.net/projects/catoolkit/
- ↑ "CompendiumNG website". Retrieved 22 February 2017.
- ↑ http://www.researchware.com/downloads/downloads-hyperresearch.html
- ↑ "KH Coder download site". Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ↑ "qdap GitHub website". Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ↑ "Quirkos for Linux". Retrieved 11 September 2015.
- ↑ http://rqda.r-forge.r-project.org/
- ↑ "Transana website". Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ↑ "Transana website". Retrieved 19 May 2017.
- ↑ Banner, DJ; Albarrran, JW (2009). "Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software: a review.". Canadian Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 19 (3): 24–31. PMID 19694114.
- ↑ St John, W; Johnson, P (2000). "The pros and cons of data analysis software for qualitative research.". Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 32 (4): 393–7. PMID 11140204.
External links
- The CAQDAS Networking Project maintained by University of Surrey offers advice and reviews on various software packages.
- Harald Klein's comprehensive guide to CAQDAS