Data analysis is an interactive process, where data are systematically searched and analysed in order to provide an illuminating description of phenomena for example, the experience of carers supporting dying patients with renal disease 4 or student nurses’ experiences following assignment referral. However, there are commonalities across approaches. 3 Approaches can be divided into four broad groups: quasistatistical approaches such as content analysis the use of frameworks or matrices such as a framework approach and thematic analysis interpretative approaches that include interpretative phenomenological analysis and grounded theory and sociolinguistic approaches such as discourse analysis and conversation analysis. One way to understand qualitative data analysis is to consider the processes involved. 2 Identifying an appropriate approach in analysing qualitative data analysis to meet the aim of a study can be challenging. What are the approaches in undertaking qualitative data analysis?Īlthough qualitative data analysis is inductive and focuses on meaning, approaches in analysing data are diverse with different purposes and ontological (concerned with the nature of being) and epistemological (knowledge and understanding) underpinnings. The process of data analysis is to assemble or reconstruct the data in a meaningful or comprehensible fashion, in a way that is transparent, rigorous and thorough, while remaining ‘true’ to participants’ accounts. The challenge for qualitative researchers is to present a cohesive representation of the data, which can be ‘vast’ and ‘messy’, 1 and needs to make sense of diverse viewpoints or complex issues. However, focusing on selected sections of the data may not capture the nuances of observations or participants’ descriptions and may fragment the data. Qualitative researchers usually work with text when analysing data data can be transcribed in entirety or focus on selected sections.
The individual interview method is the most widely used method of data collection in qualitative research and a range of data can be collected including field notes, audio and video recordings, images or documents. Reality is coconstructed by the research participants and the researcher, with the depth of data collected more important than recruiting large samples.
Data collection is undertaken in the natural setting, such as a clinic, hospital or a participant's home because qualitative methods seek to describe, explore and understand phenomena from the perspective of the individual or group. Qualitative research is a generic term that refers to a group of methods, and ways of collecting and analysing data that are interpretative or explanatory in nature and focus on meaning.