This document outlines a 3-step process for qualitative data analysis: 1) Reduction through open and closed sorting of key themes and concepts, aided by software tools. 2) Visualization of relationships between categories and concepts. 3) Drawing conclusions by looking for patterns, exceptions, alternative explanations, and implications. It also briefly defines grounded theory and contrasts inductive and deductive reasoning approaches.

1. Qualitative Data Analysis A practical how-to

2. Key themes 3 simple steps Some concepts first: Grounded theory Induction: what is it? Step 1: Reduction Open-sort Closed-sort Software tools Step 2: Visualization Step 3: Conclusions

3. Qualitative Data Analysis: 3 Simple Steps

4. What is grounded theory? “theory derived from systematically gathered data, arising through the research process” (Strauss & Corbin, 1998: 12).

5. Outcomes of Grounded Theory

6. Induction versus deduction Libraries are built for quiet. Therefore… People sleep in the library. Deduction People sleep in the library. Therefore… Libraries are a place of refuge. Induction

7. Step 1a: The “open sort” Write themes on post-its Sort them into categories Name the categories http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=rzinDOELYjA

8. Step 1a: open sort example Category Sub-category Concept Thanks to Ned Richards of the UK for the permission to use this photo

9. Step 1b: The “closed sort” Start with categories Write themes on post-its Sort themes into pre-determined categories

10. Software tool: NVivo Category Concept

11. Step 2: Visualization I

12. Step 3: Conclusion Drawing Hunt for patterns Seek out exceptions and ask why? Use reversal: if it wasn’t this way, what would happen? Always ask, so what?

13. Copernicus ConsultingDesign research and strategy http://copernicusconsulting.net