1.
Presentation of
Qualitative Data
“Researchers often have amassed enormous
amount of data and have to select the best
presentation of the data to support their
description and interpretation of the
phenomena under study.”
(Krane, Andersen, and Strean, 1997)

2.
Importance Of Proper Selection Of
Data Presentation Strategies
Presentation of primary data allows the participants in the
study to provide rich source of information separate from
the interpretation of the researcher.
Presentation of few quotations taken out of context make
this task extremely difficult.
Wolcott (1990) suggests
that, it is more elucidating
for researchers to include
more primary data in their
presentation and less
analysis, allowing the
participants to speak for
themselves.
Collins (1991) emphasized
that qualitative analysis
and presentation is
socially situated and that
there are multiple “truths”
emanating form the
different socio cultural
situations faced by
individuals.
Opie (1992) suggests that
presentation of
participants experiences
must be expressed in their
own voices so that different
truths can be heard.

3.
Different Epistemological Perspectives:
Because there is no single acceptable method for conducting qualitative
analysis, it is evident that different perspectives will influence our own
writings as well as our data presentation.
Hermeneutic Perspective
(Dilthey, 1910)
An approach used for the interpretation of
ancient and biblical texts – has over time been
applied to the human sciences more generally.
Ethnographies Perspectives
(Brewer, 2000)
Collection of data through “social meanings
and ordinary activities” of people in “natural
occurring settings” that are commonly
referred to as “the field”.
Grounded Theory Approach
(Glaser and Strauss, 2009)
Rather than beginning with a hypothesis, the
first step is data collection, through a variety
of methods.

4.
DATA PRESENTATION
STRATEGIES
Ways Qualitative Data Can Be Arranged And Presented:
1. Natural
2. Most Simple to Most Complex
3. First Discovered/Constructed to Last Discovered/Constructed
4. Quantitative-Informed
5. Theory-Guided
6. Narrative Logic
7. Most Important to Least Important or From Major to Minor
8. Dramatic Presentation
9. No Particular Order

5.
Natural
•The data is presented in a shape that resembles the phenomenon being
studied.
•Example: For instance, if the data are excerpts from a therapy
session, present them in a sequential order or in an order that re-presents the
flow of the session itself.
Most Simple to Most Complex
•For the sake of understanding, start the presentation of data with the simplest
example you have found. As the complexity of each example or exemplar
presented increases, the reader will have a better chance of following the
presentation. Erving Goffman's work is a good example of this style.
•Note: Goffman was primarily an observer of face-to-face interaction who
possessed an extraordinary ability to appreciate the subtle importance of
apparently insignificant aspects of everyday conduct. Goffman made his
readers aware of this almost invisible realm of social life, with the result that
the banal exchanges and glances observable in any public place become a
continual source of fascination (Manning, 1992).
First Discovered/Constructed to Last Discovered/Constructed
•The data are presented in a chronicle-like fashion, showing the course of the
researcher's personal journey in the study.
•Example: This style is reminiscent of an archeological style of presentation:
What was the first "relic" excavated, then the second and so forth

6.
Quantitative-Informed
•In this scheme data are presented according to strategies commonly found
in quantitative or statistical studies.
•Example: Data are arranged along lines of central tendencies and
ranges, clusters, and frequencies.
Theory-Guided
•Data arrangement is governed by the researcher's theory or theories
regarding the phenomenon being re-presented in the study.
•Example: For instance, a Marxist-informed researcher might present data
from a doctor-patient interview in terms of talk which shows who controls
the means for producing information in the interaction, talk which illustrates
who is being marginalized, and so forth.
Narrative Logic
•Data are arranged with an eye for storytelling. Researchers plot out the
data in a fashion which allows them to transition from one exemplar to
another just as narrators arrange details in order to best relate the
particulars of the story.

7.
Most Important to Least Important or From Major to Minor
• Like the journalistic style of the inverted pyramid, the most
important "findings" are presented first and the minor
"discoveries" come last.
Dramatic Presentation
• This one is the opposite of the inverted pyramid style. With the
dramatic arrangement scheme, researchers order their data
presentation so as to save the surprises and unforeseen
discoveries for last.
No Particular Order Order
• As it sounds, data are arranged with no particular, conscious
pattern in mind, or the researcher fails to explain how or why the
data are displayed the way they are.

8.
Conclusion
“Major component of quality qualitative studies is that the
researchers “present their case,” researchers must provide
enough information to show how they derived their conclusions.”
Regardless of which strategies used by researcher to
present their data, the presentation will result in identifying
and acknowledging the multiple perspectives of the
participants and researcher and the readers may then
consider all perspectives in their interpretation of the
research.

9.
Reference:
Brewer, J. D. (2000). Ethnography. Buckinghan, Philadephia: Open University Press
Chenail, R. J. (1995). Presenting Qualitative Data. The Qualitative Report Vol. 2 (3). Retrieved from:
http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR2-3/presenting.html
Collins, P. H. (1991). Learning from the outsider within: The Sociological Significance of Black Feminist Thought. In M.M.
Fonow and J.A. Cook (Eds). Beyond Methodology: Feminist scholarship as lived research. Bloomington, IN: Indiana
University Press. Pp. 35 – 59.
Dilthey, Wilhelm (1910). The formation of the historical world in the human sciences (Selected works, vol. 3, Rudolf A.
Makkreal & Frithjof Rodi, Ed. & Trans.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Ferraris, Maurizio (1996). History of hermeneutics (Luca Somigli, Trans.). Atlantic Highlands, NY: Humanities Press.
Krane, V., Andersen, M. B., and Strean, W. B. (1997). Issues of Qualitative Research Methods and Presentation. Journal of
Sport and Exercise Psychology (19). Pp. 213 – 218.
Manning, P. (1992). Erving Goffman and Modern Sociology. Stanford University Press, 1992. Pp. 202.
Opie, A. (1992). Qualitative research, appropriate of the „other‟ and empowerment. Feminist Review (40). Pp. 52-69.
Wolcott, H. F. (1990). On seeking - and rejecting – validity in qualitative research. In E.W. Eisner and A. Peshkin
(Eds), Qualitative Inquiry in education: The continuing debate. New York: Teachers College Press. Pp. 121-152.

10.
Additional readings:
Atkinson, B., Heath, A., & Chenail, R. (1991). Qualitative research and the legitimacy of knowledge. Journal of
Marital and Family Therapy, 17, 161-166.
Brewer, J. D. (2000). Ethnography. Buckinghan, Philadephia: Open University Press
Chenail, R. J. (1994). Qualitative research and clinical work: "Private-ization" and "Public-ation". The Qualitative
Report [On-line journal], 2(1), 1, 3-13. Available World Wide Web:
http://alpha.acast.nova.edu/nova/centers/ssss/index.html
Constas, M. A. (1992). Qualitative analysis as a public event: The documentation of category development
procedures. American Educational Research Journal, 29, 253-266.
Dilthey, Wilhelm (1910). The formation of the historical world in the human sciences (Selected works, vol. 3, Rudolf
A. Makkreal & Frithjof Rodi, Ed. & Trans.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Ferraris, Maurizio (1996). History of hermeneutics (Luca Somigli, Trans.). Atlantic Highlands, NY: Humanities Press.
Glaser, B. G. and Strauss, A., L. (2009). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research.
Observations (Chicago, III) Reprint. Transaction Publisher, 2009. Pp. 271.
Waitzkin, H. (1991). The politics of medical encounters: How patients and doctors deal with social problems. New
Haven, CT: Yale University Press.