Qualitative Methods

Analyzing Qualitative Data

Getting Organized

Words of Advice from Carol Warren and Tracy Karner

Qualitative Methods

"Whether you want to work with hard copies or on the computer, we offer a few pieces of advice. First, maintain a main master copy of everything that you do not alter, either in notebooks or on CD rom. This can save lots of heartache when the unexpected happens; so just trust us at this point, you will be glad that you have done this. Second, organize your data by type and within type by chronological order. For example, we separate our interview transcripts from our fieldnotes and then place each set in the order it was collected. In other cases, such as transcripts from a series of interviews with the same subject, you might want to separate your transcripts by interview subject and then place them in the order they were done. Third, complete a thorough log or codebook that includes a master list of your subjects, IRB forms, settings, dates of observations or interviews, any other documents or materials you have collected. File a complete copy of this log with your master copy of your data for safekeeping. (Some scholars go so far as to keep full back up CD rom copies of their data in their safety deposit box or a fire proof home safe.) Fourth, decide on a means of backing up or saving your work at each step of the process. Yes, this may seem compulsive (it is!), but if anything problematic happens, such as the disappearance of a disc or the loss of a file, you will be overjoyed to have a back up copy. "

Warren and Karner, 2005: 194