Analysing qualitative data: computerized and other approaches

Analysis of qualitative data: computerized and other approaches ¶ Analysis of qualitative data can be done `manually' using a variety of techniques such as `cut and paste' and use of coloured pens to categorize data and develop theoretical explanations. More recently a number of computer software packages have been developed to mechanize this `coding' process as well as to search and retrieve data. This article reviews the background to and advantages and disadvantages of computerized approaches, and compares these with manual techniques used in a number of recent nursing PhD studies. It is concluded that beginning researchers conducting small‐scale studies would be best recommended to use a manual approach in order to gain insight into the intuitive aspects of analysis which are the essential basis of any method of analysis, including computerized forms.