31 Mar Qualitative analysis of interview data: A step-by-step guide
The content applies to qualitative data analysis in general. Do not forget to share this Youtube link with your friends.
The steps are also described in writing below (Click Show more):
STEP 1, reading the transcripts
1.1. Browse through all transcripts, as a whole.
1.2. Make notes about your impressions.
1.3. Read the transcripts again, one by one.
1.4. Read very carefully, line by line.
STEP 2, labeling relevant pieces
2.1. Label relevant words, phrases, sentences, or sections.
2.2. Labels can be about actions, activities, concepts, differences, opinions, processes, or whatever you think is relevant.
2.3. You might decide that something is relevant to code because:
*it is repeated in several places;
*the interviewee explicitly states that it is important;
*you have read about something similar in reports, e.g. scientific articles;
*it reminds you of a theory or a concept;
*or for some other reason that you think is relevant.
You can use preconceived theories and concepts, be open-minded, aim for a description of things that are superficial, or aim for a conceptualization of underlying patterns. It is all up to you.
It is your study and your choice of methodology. You are the interpreter and these phenomena are highlighted because you consider them important. Just make sure that you tell your reader about your methodology, under the heading Method. Be unbiased, stay close to the data, i.e. the transcripts, and do not hesitate to code plenty of phenomena. You can have lots of codes, even hundreds.
STEP 3, decide which codes are the most important, and create categories by bringing several codes together
3.1. Go through all the codes created in the previous step. Read them, with a pen in your hand.
3.2. You can create new codes by combining two or more codes.
3.3. You do not have to use all the codes that you created in the previous step.
3.4. In fact, many of these initial codes can now be dropped.
3.5. Keep the codes that you think are important and group them together in the way you want.
3.6. Create categories. (You can call them themes if you want.)
3.7. The categories do not have to be of the same type. They can be about objects, processes, differences, or whatever.
3.8. Be unbiased, creative and open-minded.
3.9. Your work now, compared to the previous steps, is on a more general, abstract level. You are conceptualizing your data.
STEP 4, label categories and decide which are the most relevant and how they are connected to each other
4.1. Label the categories. Here are some examples:
Adaptation (Category)
Updating rulebook (sub-category)
Changing schedule (sub-category)
New routines (sub-category)
Seeking information (Category)
Talking to colleagues (sub-category)
Reading journals (sub-category)
Attending meetings (sub-category)
Problem solving (Category)
Locate and fix problems fast (sub-category)
Quick alarm systems (sub-category)
4.2. Describe the connections between them.
4.3. The categories and the connections are the main result of your study. It is new knowledge about the world, from the perspective of the participants in your study.
STEP 5, some options
5.1. Decide if there is a hierarchy among the categories.
5.2. Decide if one category is more important than the other.
5.3. Draw a figure to summarize your results.
STEP 6, write up your results
6.1. Under the heading Results, describe the categories and how they are connected. Use a neutral voice, and do not interpret your results.
6.2. Under the heading Discussion, write out your interpretations and discuss your results. Interpret the results in light of, for example:
*results from similar, previous studies published in relevant scientific journals;
*theories or concepts from your field;
*other relevant aspects.
STEP 7 Ending remark
Nb: it is also OK not to divide the data into segments. Narrative analysis of interview transcripts, for example, does not rely on the fragmentation of the interview data. (Narrative analysis is not discussed in this tutorial.)
Further, I have assumed that your task is to make sense of a lot of unstructured data, i.e. that you have qualitative data in the form of interview transcripts. However, remember that most of the things I have said in this tutorial are basic, and also apply to qualitative analysis in general. You can use the steps described in this tutorial to analyze:
*notes from participatory observations;
*documents;
*web pages;
*or other types of qualitative data.
STEP 8 Suggested reading
Alan Bryman’s book: ‘Social Research Methods’ published by Oxford University Press.
Steinar Kvale’s and Svend Brinkmann’s book ‘InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing’ published by SAGE.
Text and video (including audio) © Kent Löfgren, Sweden
Maria Ruiz
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchI'm currently working on my honors thesis and have completed my qualitative study, but was having trouble organizing my paper and feeling lost on where/how to include my interview data. It is 3AM, and though I'm tired and have a lot more to do than I thought, at least I will be confident that I am turning in a somewhat decent draft to my mentor soon. Thank you so much for your help!
eyowattup
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchthis is amazing how do i reference? ahaha
jackie
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchYou have helped to simplify what I already thought but doubted was legit. Ready to proceed with my analysis thanks to your invaluable help from your tutorial
pixxienix
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchYour voice is ASMR for researchers – I can't thank you enough for clarifying and calming in one go.
Cassandra Stevens
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchReally helped me with analysing my interview answers for my masters dissertation! Thanks
savi3sounds
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchvery helpful. thank you for making this video
Usama Ali
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchCan we say We develop a scale after thematic Analysis, but before Pilot study?? As i am going to conduct a research for my thesis. I will do thematic Analysis, Then thems will be counvert into Scale items/scale. But I am not interesting to do pilot study for thesis work, Is that right or Should I go for Pilot study as well???? Plz give you valuable suggestions.
Leonora Çetta
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you so much for sharing this tutorial, Mr. Kent. It was crystal clear and easy to comprehend. All the best for you!
Francis Wargirai
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you so much.
Mohib Faiz
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you! Helpful video, but I am still a bit confused. You say that this is a basic guide for qualitative analysis of interview data, but it seems like it contains a thematic analysis as well (in step 3, create categories). Is this correctly understood? If yes, does that mean that qualitative analysis of interview data always contains a thematic analysis, except for narrative analysis as you mention in this video?
Elaia Raj
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchI would like to say thank you for this very short and precise video.. I found it very useful. Keep up the great work !
nein 3
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchMonosound. So retro.
Home-made Laparoscopy
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThis is a fantastic video. Nice and concise and I like how it is broken down into steps. This is just what I needed.
Grace Mtavangu
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchYou're such a wonderful teacher!
Ella F
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThis has been extremely practical and useful.
NALANI MARIMUTHU
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you so much.God bless
gudrabean
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchSimplified and excellent
AangBow
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchYou are an actual hero
Maha ali
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you for your effort. it is so organized and easy to understand 🙂
Maria
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchYou are a lifesaver! Really nice put, simply written! Blessings!
Liza Dixon
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchSitting on a huge pile of data right now. This video is so simple and so clear. Thank you!
aby tellas
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you Mr. Lofgren, I was actually searching for an apt one and its like I asked for a flower, you offered a garden, Thank you once again
Jamil Idires
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you. liked your simple and relaxed voice
Brenda Ayugi
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you Kent, I will definitely do this, you make it easier than it seems.
Winona Liu
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchit really helps me with my dissertation.
deepika vinaykiya
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchKent, can you please explain a difference between thematic analysis and affinity diagram? It will be of great help to complete my master degree.
MyCoolHat
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchWonderful tutorial. As an aside, someone get that unintentional asmr guy on this!
Paloma Vejarano
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you, thank you, thank you!
victor kankhokwe
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchsimply delivered but too loaded with sense !
Richard Prins
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you, very clear and calm
Jo Hawke
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchAs a second-semester PhD student, I can say that this is very informative, useful, and easy to understand. Thank you, Dr. Löfgren!
Sam G
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchexcellent video…thank you:)
Rogier Happel
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you so much! I'm in the middle of the qualitative research of my Master thesis and this clear construction helps me get familiar with the steps I have to take!
Nick Dalton
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThis is very helpful Kent. I use it in one of my classes. I've probably shown it to a few hundred students at this point. Thank you.
DaveHuk01
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchI am moving job roles [I hope] and having knowledge of Thematic Analysis is a key point for the new potential role. Thank you so much for this, my friend. 🙂
Kshitij Jain
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchVery well described. Your coverage was exhaustive and succinct.
Foncha Anang Emmerencia
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchquite interesting and stress relieving. thanks
hamza khan
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchSound like zlatan
Veronica Williams
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you this is very helpful!
Shardob J
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchTack för det!
DESIGN
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchGreat tutorial!
Mr Stepper
Posted at 12:09h, 31 Marchthis really helped me alot and saved me so much of time searching for articles
Clyde Griffin
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchThank you, Mr. Lofgren
Su Nam (Kevin) Jang
Posted at 12:09h, 31 MarchBrief and informative, what an excellent video!