Research Methodology in Education

1. Advance Educational Research
And Statistics
TOPIC: Computer Based Data Analysis
A.Arulpriya
Second year M.Ed.

2. What is CAQDAS ?
Stands for :
• Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis
• Software packages: ‘tools to mechanize tasks of ordering
and archiving texts.. For “data administration” and
archiving rather than tools for “data analysis”.
Example:
-Atlas-ti
-Winmax
-Nvivo
-NUDIST
-Ethnograph

3. Nature of qualitative data
• Largely unstructured
• Mostly text – based:
-Transcribed interviews
-Transcribed discussions
-Field notes
-Other written documents
(e.g. observations and
records of meetings etc.)

4. Computer can be used in statistical
analysis for
• Data collection
• Data entry
• Data checking
• Data screening
• Definite analysis
• Presentation of
analysis

5. Use of computer software in
qualitative studies
• Transcribing data
• Writing/editing the data
• Storage of data
• Coding data(keywords or tags)
• Search and retrieval of data
• Data linking of related text
• Writing/editing memos about the
data
• Display of selected reduced data
• Graphic mapping
• Preparing reports

6. Advantages of computer-aided
qualitative data analysis
• Efficient, save time, assist the
management of larger
samples, good for research
teams
• Can make the research
process more systematic and
explicit, which makes it seem
more valid or trustworthy
• Can enhance the researcher’s
creativity, by allowing more
time to experiment and play
with data

7. Cont.….
• Organised and
controllable data set
• Support for coding
• Searching text and codes
• Support for comparative
analysis
• Models, networks and
diagrams
• Interface with
quantitative data

8. Limitations of computer –aided
qualitative data analysis
• Time constraints
• Can become overwhelmed
by larger samples and the
wider volume of data that
the software can technically
manage.
• Need to learn how to use
the software(and need to
buy it)

9. Cont.
• Distance or hinder creativity
• Machine between
researcher and data
• Limited guidance
• Selecting appropriate
programs
• Changing categories/moving
information