Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer: A Practical Guide [9781412946926]

Overview

"[This] is a great self-help book for framing the research effort and guiding the reader through the research process. I can′t name another book of this type on the market.
--Ted Gaiser, Boston College

Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer is a practical, hands-on guide to using commonly available everyday technology, including Microsoft software, to manage and streamline research projects.

Chris Hahn uses straight-forward, everyday language to walk readers through this process, drawing on a wide range of examples to demonstrate how easy it is to use such software. This guide is full of useful hints and tips on how to manage research more efficiently and effectively, including:

• Formatting transcripts for maximum coding efficiency in Microsoft Word
• Using features of Word to organize the analysis of data and to facilitate efficient qualitative coding
• Efficiently storing and analyzing qualitative data in Access or Excel to develop categories, themes, and important concepts
• Creating flexible analytic memos that help lead the researcher to final conclusions and enrich the written report
• Utilizing inexpensive and easy-to-obtain tools to collect data and manage research projects.

Doing Qualitative Research Using Your Computer is ideal for those students or researchers who don′t want to invest in expensive specialised software packages and who are looking for a result that is more tailored to their individual needs. It will be an invaluable companion for anyone embarking on their own research project.