Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis: Theory, Methods and Practice

With recent significant advances having been made in computer-aided methods to support qualitative data analysis, a whole new range of methodological questions arises: Will the software employed `take over′ the analysis? Can computers be used to improve reliability and validity? Can computers make the research process more transparent and ensure a more systematic analysis? This book examines the central methodological and theoretical issues involved in using computers in qualitative research. International experts in the field discuss various strategies for computer-assisted qualitative analysis, outlining strategies for building theories by employing networks of categories and means of evaluating hypotheses generated from qualitative data. New ways of integrating qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques are also described.