hopper, 1993 [2, abstract, overview, toc, switchboard, references]

2.6 Data Analysis

Both interviews and documents were critical for data analysis, as the researcher searched both to construct frameworks, based upon the explanations used by the participants to make sense of their experiences. Using the explanations provided by participants from their "expert" perspectives provided a basis for "grounded theory" about the major problems and possible solutions which were the highest level goals of this research.
 
In addition to video and tape recorders, the computer was a critical partner to augment the researcher during data analysis. While the computer began its role in this study as a powerful communication device through E-Mail, it later became indispensable for storage of corpus materials, follow-up communication with participants, organization of research materials, and analysis of data in addition to its obvious role as composition tool. The computer was particularly useful because documents became included as important elements in data analysis. The computer was used to aid in document management tasks during the researchers efforts to interpret the data. The role of the computer during the entire research process is included below.

25 K GIF File
Computational Support of the Qualitative Research Process
 
A database of text and graphics about the courseware projects was constructed in HyperCard. The database of vignettes from interviews and publications were reviewed, and key themes were noted. The cumulative data distribution reflected in the Cumulative Data Distribution Table was designed to reflect both the number of passages from interviews that were transcribed and entered into the database to be used in the development of theory, and the number that were actually approved for inclusion in this public document.
 
Accumulated notes were also used to help guide the ongoing research process. As more vignettes were collected and reviewed, the notes became more and more systematic, until they eventually were refined into coding schemes. A second expanding catalog was constructed based upon the emerging coding scheme, and the database of vignettes was cross-referenced to the catalog of key themes to provide easy access to the data organized around the key recurring themes. The researcher used this system to explore and analyze relationships between key issues or recurring themes discussed by different participants in different settings. The final product of this became a database of vignettes, references and annotated conversations about key themes and problems which were established by experience. The computer was also used to record an outline history of staffing and funding activity on production efforts in general, who did what- what kinds of skills, how long and with how much money.
 

© Mary E. Hopper | MEHopper@TheWorld.com [posted 12/04/93 | revised 04/12/13]