Qualitative Research goes beyond the examination of who, what, when, and where, to explore the why and how. Qualitative researchers use surveys, interviews, observation, focus groups, and case studies to understand experiences, gather first hand information, and explore a topic through discussion.
Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) includes a range of processes used to convert collected data that is typically unstructured into accessible forms for researchers to categorize, interpret, and find meaning.
Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) software is used to assist researchers with data management, transcription analysis, coding, mapping, interpretation of text, audio, or video, and other tasks. One advantage of the tools is their ability to store the analysis in a searchable interactive format.
This guide is based on a similar guide created by Jessica Hagman at the University of Illinois University Library.