Integrating NVivo into qualitative methods teaching Find out how a team from Curtin University successfully integrated NVivo into the teaching of an undergraduate research methods unit.

1. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Lynne Roberts, Lauren Breen & Maxine Symes
Integrating NVivo into Qualitative
Methods Teaching
QSR International eSeminar 24 August 2012
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Lynne Roberts
Lauren Breen
Maxine Symes

3. 30.07.2010
3
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Planning: Big Picture
Aim to integrate the teaching of NVivo within the teaching of
qualitative research
Focus on:
 Integration
 Extension
 Value-adding
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Planning: Practicalities
 Upgrading teaching staff skills in using NVivo
 Identifying core components that need to be taught to
enable NVivo to be used at an introductory level
 Creating new lab activities to teach and support the use of
NVivo
 Rewriting portions of major assessment to include NVivo
 Arranging for NVivo to be loaded in computer lab
Teaching NVivo

4. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Key Functions Identified for Beginners
 Familiarity with lay out
 Setting up a project
 Importing transcripts into NVivo
 Coding to nodes
 Displaying material under nodes
 Managing nodes
 Memos
 Exporting from NVivo
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Piloting
 Instructional material piloted with fourth year psychology
student volunteers
 Minor modifications made based on the feedback
provided.
Teaching NVivo

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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Integration into Unit
 3rd Year ‘Advanced Psychological Science’ unit
114 psychology undergraduate students
• 3 X 1 hour labs (repeated 5 times) on using NVivo
• NVivo used to analyse interview data collected by
students
• Reporting of NVivo analysis and results in final
assignments
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Content of First 7 Labs
 Developing a research plan
 Interview schedules and information sheets
 Interviewing
 Qualitative Data Analysis
 Thematic Analysis: Initial coding*
 Thematic Analysis: Category development*
 Thematic Analysis: Conceptual maps and writing up
*Key labs for NVivo use
Teaching NVivo

6. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Lab 5: Thematic Analysis: Initial coding
 Introduction to NVivo
 Creating a project in NVivo
 Layout of screen in NVivo
 Importing and working with transcripts
 Coding to nodes
 Focus on familiarisation and initial coding
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Lab 6: Thematic Analysis: Category
development
 Developing and reviewing themes
 Displaying data coded to nodes
 Working with nodes (Parent-child relationships; Merging
nodes; Deleting nodes)
 Creating memos
 Attaching memos to nodes
 Exporting from NVivo
 Focus on developing and reviewing themes
Teaching NVivo

7. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Lab 7: Conceptual Maps and Writing Up
 Example of thematic maps
 Creation of own thematic maps
 Writing up qualitative research
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Overview of Teaching Material
Teaching NVivo
Introduction:
Emphasis on
program as
tool

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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Teaching NVivo
Help:
Highlighting
key
commands in
NVivo
program
Providing link
to page of
book for
additional
assistance
Overview of Teaching Material
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Overview of Teaching Material
Teaching NVivo
Layout:
Familiarisation
with panes

9. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Teaching NVivo
Instructions
in writing…
…and in
pictures
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Benefits for Staff
 Increases perceived legitimacy/focus on qualitative
research within the school
 Provides initial training for students enabling staff to offer
qualitative research projects in fourth year
Teaching NVivo

10. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Benefits for Students
 Increases range of research skills
 Marketable skill
 Increases range of projects can consider undertaking in
future years
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Tips for Integration
 Recommend NVivo be taught by the same staff who are
teaching the principles and practise of qualitative research
 Teaching staff need to be trained/have experience in using
NVivo
 Program and books needs to be available to students for
use outside of class time
Teaching NVivo

11. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Further Development of Materials and
Delivery
2012
• Unit being taught in the same way with minor
modifications
• New teaching staff
2013
• New qualitative unit
• Increased lab time to 1.5 hours per student per week
• Further integration of teaching NVivo within qualitative unit
• Practise of NVivo within mixed methods unit
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Further Development
Teaching NVivo
Additional
Practise with
Key Actions

12. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Evaluation of Teaching NVivo
 Aim: to evaluate student perceptions of the teaching and
use of NVivo within this unit
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
METHOD
 Design
Mixed methods design utilising an online survey hosted by Qualtrics
 Participants
67 commenced survey (59% response rate)
45 completed survey (67% completion rate)
Ages 20 to 53 years (Modes 20 and 21 years)
80% female
Teaching NVivo

13. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
METHOD: Measures
 Open questions
Best and worst things about using NVivo
Integration of NVivo within unit
Suggestions for change
Reasons for wanting/not wanting NVivo to be taught in future
 Closed questions
Time spent using
Resources accessed
Plans to use NVivo in future
Whether NVivo should be taught in future
Perceived helpfulness of resources (scale)
Confidence in performing basic functions (scale)
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
METHOD
 Procedure
Curtin Human Research Ethics Committee Approval
Recruitment in last week of labs in unit
Students provided with link to information sheet for survey
Anonymous completion of survey
 Analysis
Thematic analysis for open questions
SPSS v18 for descriptive statistics for closed questions
Teaching NVivo

14. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Teaching Resources were Helpful
in Learning to Use NVivo
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Confidence in Ability to Conduct
Activities
Teaching NVivo

15. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Themes and Sub-Themes
Themes Sub-themes
Features of the NVivo program Speed, efficiency and use
Systematic data storage and display
Comparison with manual analysis
Time-consuming to learn
Integration into the unit and course Access to the program
Class time and structure
Relevance to undergraduate
psychology
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Features of the NVivo Program
 Speed, efficiency and use
‘It’s easy-to-use software. It's intuitive and works similarly enough to MS
Office (which students are familiar with) that there's no learning challenge.
Even if you don't know how to do something (or whether or not that can even
be done) it's easy enough to play around for five minutes and work it out!’
 Systematic data storage and display
‘very useful at indexing and storing material so to create codes and then
merge into analysable material’
‘Because all the information was kept in one spot saved under one project,
it was easy to access, use, and read through’
Teaching NVivo

16. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Features of the NVivo Program
 Comparison with manual analysis
‘When your [sic] analysing transcripts you can get lost in the themes and
categories that jump out at you and this offers a neat way to get your head
around things’
‘I can’t see all the transcripts at once and compare them. I would rather print
them all and look at them… NVivo [is] really useless and time-consuming,
allowing you to just look at one thing at a time. I can use it and I did but I
hated it.’
‘I hate having to read information, especially long pieces of text, on a screen
but I know in order to use such technology it has to be done... I'm just old
school and like the hard copy in front of me…to write on.’
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Features of the NVivo Program
 Time Consuming to Learn
‘very time-consuming; however, if you were analysing interview transcripts
without NVivo I guess that would be time-consuming just the same.’
‘At first I was like 'oh no I’m going to have to learn to use a whole new
software package, and OMG it comes with a bible, it's going to be like
starting with SPSS all over again, how am I going to do this in one unit?!' So
initial shock, but it turned out to not be like that at all.’
Teaching NVivo

17. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Integration into the Unit
 Access to the program
‘The worst thing was that the trial program at home didn't match up to the
program at uni so I couldn't bring my data to class and I ended up just
working on it at home.’
‘a psychological barrier to doing my assignment because of where and
when the program was available to use.’
 Class time and structure
‘Longer labs could ensure more time to learn how to use NVivo as I felt it
was a bit rushed and we had to learn how to do it ourselves a bit in our own
time’
‘the labs took a really excellent, step-by-step approach towards how to use
NVivo and its benefits.’
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Integration into the Course
 Relevance to undergraduate psychology
‘well-integrated’
‘done succinctly and comprehensively’
‘It is a great program and I hope to get a real hang of it before I do my
qualitative dissertation next year’
‘It is a very useful tool. Knowing how to use research software like this
makes us more employable, and prepares us for future research’
Teaching NVivo

18. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
RESULTS: Future teaching
Teaching NVivo
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Discussion
 Possibility of successful integration of qualitative software
into undergraduate research methods units
Can teach in large classes
Can integrate methodology with technology
Staff expertise
 Students generally support, despite concerns about time
pressures and program access
 Further research required to identify optimal conditions for
teaching computer-supported qualitative analysis to
undergraduates
Teaching NVivo

19. 30.07.2010
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Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Curtin University is a trademark of Curtin University of Technology
CRICOS Provider Code 00301J
Contact Details
Lynne Roberts
Lynne.Roberts@curtin.edu.au
Lauren Breen
Lauren.Breen@curtin.edu.au
Maxine Symes
Maxine.Symes@postgrad.curtin.edu.au
Teaching NVivo