(PSY206) Data Management and Analysis

Author

Md Rasel Biswas

Performing the Analysis in QualCoder

In this section, we describe how the qualitative analysis demonstrated earlier can be carried out using QualCoder. The objective is to translate conceptual steps such as coding, categorization, and theme development into practical actions within the software.

Step 1: Create a New Project

After opening QualCoder:

  • Click on Project → New Project
  • Provide a project name (e.g., “DUMC Study”)
  • Select a suitable location to save the project

This project file will store:

  • all imported data
  • codes and categories
  • memos and analytical notes

Creating a well-named and organized project at the beginning helps maintain clarity throughout the analysis.

Step 2: Import Interview Data

Next, import the interview transcripts into the project.

  • Go to Sources → Add Files
  • Select the provided .docx file containing all participant interviews

Each participant’s responses are already labeled, which makes it easier to identify sources during coding.

Step 3: Familiarization with Data

Before starting coding, it is essential to become familiar with the data.

  • Open the document from the file panel
  • Read through at least 2–3 participant interviews carefully
  • Try to identify recurring ideas, concerns, or patterns

This step is critical because:

Coding should be based on understanding the data, not on mechanically assigning labels.

Step 4: Create Initial Codes

Based on the lecture example, create a set of initial codes.

  • Go to Codes → Add Code

  • Create the following codes:

    • poor service quality
    • facility limitation
    • access difficulty
    • awareness issue
    • environment concern
    • delayed care

Defining codes before coding helps ensure consistency across different parts of the data.

Step 5: Apply Codes to Data (Coding)

This is the central step in qualitative analysis.

  • Open the document
  • Select a meaningful segment of text
  • Right-click → Code Selection
  • Assign the appropriate code

Example

Text: “There are no specialist doctors.”

Action: - Select the sentence
- Assign code: poor service quality

Important considerations:

  • A single segment can have more than one code
  • Codes should represent meaning, not just keywords
  • Similar statements across participants should receive the same code

Step 6: Review Coded Segments

After coding several participants, review your work.

  • Go to Codes → Code Text
  • Click on each code to view all associated segments

This allows you to:

  • check consistency of coding
  • identify patterns across participants
  • detect possible errors or inconsistencies

If needed, revise codes or re-code segments to improve accuracy.

Step 7: Write Analytical Memos

Memos are essential for capturing your analytical thinking.

  • Go to Memos → Add Memo
  • Write observations, reflections, or emerging ideas

Example memo:

“Many students mention lack of specialist doctors and basic treatment. This suggests a strong perception of poor service quality.”

Memos help you:

  • connect codes to broader ideas
  • prepare for theme development
  • document your reasoning process

Step 8: Organize Codes into Categories

After coding and memo writing, organize the codes into meaningful categories. This step improves both interpretation and the quality of visual outputs.

  • Go to Codes → Manage
  • Create categories (code groups)
  • Assign each code to an appropriate category

For this study, the codes can be organized as:

  • Service Issues: poor service quality
  • Structural and Access Issues: facility limitation, access difficulty
  • Awareness and Environment: awareness issue, environment concern
  • Behavioral Outcome: delayed care

Organizing codes helps to:

  • group related concepts
  • simplify analysis
  • produce clearer graphs (e.g., co-occurrence and hierarchy)

Categories are used to organize codes, while themes represent the final interpretation.

Step 9: Develop Themes

Themes are developed by the researcher based on:

  • coded data
  • organized categories
  • memos and observations

Themes are not automatically generated by QualCoder.

For this example, themes may include:

  • Poor Quality of Medical Service
  • Structural and Access Barriers
  • Awareness and Environmental Concerns
  • Delayed or Avoided Care

Each theme should represent a distinct dimension of the problem.

Step 10: Generate Visualizations

QualCoder provides several visual tools to support analysis.

Code Frequency

  • Displays how often each code appears
  • Helps identify dominant issues

Code Co-occurrence

  • Shows which codes appear together in the same segments

Example:

  • poor service quality + delayed care
  • access difficulty + delayed care

This helps identify relationships between barriers and outcomes.

Code Hierarchy (Tree Structure)

  • Displays categories and their codes

This is useful for:

  • presenting analysis structure
  • explaining findings clearly

Important Note on Visualizations

  • Visualizations support analysis but do not provide conclusions
  • Interpretation must always be based on context and meaning

Step 11: Interpretation and Reporting

Finally, interpret the findings based on:

  • coded data
  • themes
  • visual summaries

Write a short analytical summary addressing:

  • What are the main barriers?
  • Which issues are most prominent?
  • How do students respond to these barriers?

Important Reminder

QualCoder is a tool for organizing and retrieving qualitative data.
The researcher is responsible for analysis, interpretation, and drawing conclusions.