Computer Software in Qualitative
Research: An Introduction to
NVivo
Adam T. Perzynski
Doctoral Candidate
10/9/2003
atp5@cwru.edu

Objectives
 Learn the vocabulary of NVivo
 Discover what can be done with NVivo.
 Figure out how to do these things.
 Discuss the role of computer software in
Qualitative research

NVivo Vocabulary
 Documents
 Nodes
– Tree
– Free
 Sets
 Attributes
 In-Vivo
 QRS Qualitative Research Software
 CAQDAS Computer Assisted Qualitative Data
Analysis Software

What can you accomplish with NVivo?
 Manage and Analyze Textual Data
– Browse and Code Documents
– Edit Textual Data
– Create sets of anything
 Identify Themes, Patterns and Variables
– Browse and Refine Coding
– Store demographic and descriptive data
 Link to files and web pages
 Create and link to Memos

Advanced Tasks for NVivo
 Print Node and Document Reports
 Search text and coding
 Cross-tabulate codes and descriptive data
 Create a graphical diagram linked directly to
your documents and codes

Example Data
Qualitative
 347 Narratives of
Hepatitis C
 Collected from the
Internet
 Range in length from
250 to 3000 words.

Demonstrations

Frequently Asked Questions
 Can more than one person work on a single
project?
 How much data can NVivo Handle?
 Does the data have to be transcribed textual
data to use Nvivo?
 I’m confused about the colors.
 What can I print from Nvivo?

QRS and QADAS Controversy
For Against
 Efficient  Coding is not Analysis
 Uniform  Inflexible
 Prestige in Computing  Not Hands on
 Allows for focused and  Distracts from ideas
detailed analysis emphasizes words.
 Facilitates rigor and  Reification of the
transparency Researcher and Data

Conclusions
 Is it ok to use this?
 Computer software should not imply the
knowledge or use of good methodology.
 Investigators must be reflexive and self-
critical.

Selected References
Bassett, R., & Cox, S., & Rauch, U. (1995). The Emperor's new clothes: Is there more to NUD.IST than meets the eye? Societe, 19:2
Bazeley. P. and Richards. L., (2000). The NVivo Qualitative Project Book. Sage Publications, London.
Bazeley, P. (1999). The bricoleur with a computer: Piecing together qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative Health Research, 9(2):279-287.
Bong, S.A. (2002) “Debunking Myths in Qualitative Data Analysis. Forum: Qualitative Social Research 1(2).
Coffey, A. & Atkinson, P. (1996). Making Sense of Qualitative Data, Complementary Research Strategies. London: Sage.
Coffey, A., Holbrook, B., & Atkinson, P. (1996). Qualitative data analysis: Technologies and representations. Sociological Research Online, 1(1).
http://www.socresonline.org.uk/socresonline/1/1/4.html
Cresswell, J.W. (1998). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among Five Traditions. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Dey, I. (1999). Grounding Grounded Theory: Guidelines for Qualitative Inquiry. London: Academic Press
Fielding, R. & Lee, (1998). Computer Analysis and Qualitative Research. London: Sage.
Gibbs, G. (2002). Qualitative Data Analysis: Explorations with NVivo. Open University Press, London.
Lee, R. (Ed.). (1995). Information Technology for the Social Scientist. London
Richards, L. (1999). Using NVivo in Qualitative Research. London: Sage.
Richards, L., & T. J. (1991). Computing in qualitative analysis: A healthy development? Qualitative Health Research, 1: 234-262.
Seale, C. (1999). The Quality of Qualitative Research. London: Sage
Seale, C. F. (2000). Computer assisted analysis of qualitative data. In D. Silverman (Ed.) Doing Qualitative Research: a practical handbook. London: Sage.
Weitzman, E. A. & Miles, M. B. (1995). Computer programs for qualitative data analysis: A software sourcebook. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Weitzman, E. (2000). Software and qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin, & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks/ Sage.

Computer Software in Qualitative
Research: An Introduction to
NVivo
Adam T. Perzynski
Doctoral Candidate
10/9/2003