This week, you will consider various common software products used for qualitative data analysis.

Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis
This week, you will consider various common software products used for qualitative data analysis. Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis—sometimes referred to as qualitative data analysis software (CQDAS)—can be a valuable tool to advance data analysis in qualitative research especially for data management, coding, and other steps in the content analysis. When CQDAS are not used for analysis, manual content analysis may be used with basic software applications such as Microsoft Word or Excel. However, many new doctoral researchers often misconstrue the use of CQDAS within specific data analysis methods. It is important to remember these software applications do not automatically conduct analysis for the researcher; rather, they can be a valuable tool for the qualitative researcher to employ a particular data analysis protocol within the software application (Miles, Huberman, & Saldana, 2014).
Even though the software applications for qualitative analysis do not automatically analyze qualitative data, they do allow you to display data and assigned codes in multiple arrangements for categorization that can be extremely helpful to foster analytic thinking for emergent patterns within the data (Miles et al., 2014). Of course, no single CQDAS product can be perfect for all qualitative analyses, so it is essential to select a relevant CQDAS that aligns with the specific data analysis protocol you plan to use within your qualitative research study. In doctoral research, it is expected that the choice of data analysis method and software are well aligned with the specific qualitative research design and the educational problem of inquiry. In addition, and as is the case for all computer software, backup is essential to ensure secure and proper storage for your qualitative data as your data are irreplaceable once you have closed data collection (Miles et al., 2014).
Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You are expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.
References
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods source book. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
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o Reading References for these weekly assignments.
o SocioCultural Research Consultants. (2019). Dedoose.
Link
o Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Chapter 9: Choosing qualitative data analysis software. In Applied thematic analysis (pp. 217-240).
Link
o QSR International. (2019). Free NVivo resources: Getting started.
Link
o SAGE Publishing. (2018). Computer-assisted data analysis.
Link
o Woods, M., Paulus, T., Atkins, D. P., & Macklin, R. (2016). Advancing qualitative research using qualitative data analysis software (QDAS)? Reviewing
• Week 4 – Assignment 1: Appraise Qualitative Data Analysis Software Applications
In Weeks 1-3, you offered a scholarly-supported rationale for the choice of the qualitative method for doctoral research and selected a specific research design as well as data collection and analysis methods aligned well with the specific research design. In the Week 4 assignments, you will further consider whether the use of CQDAS or manual data analysis is most appropriate for the design choices made thus far for your educational problem of inquiry. Please note: It is important to complete Assignment 1 before moving on to Assignment 2, as your results of Assignment 1 will inform Assignment 2.
Assignment 1 Instructions:
Prepare a simple 5-column evaluation table using Microsoft Excel or Word and evaluate at least five criteria for two CQDAS applications of your choice.
1. In the far-left column, identify the two CQDAS applications to be evaluated.
2. In Columns 2-4, identify the specific criteria you will use to consider the applications.
3. Below the table, offer a full paragraph to justify your preference between the two applications based on your evaluative criteria. Cite your rationale using appropriate scholarly literature or research guides.
Length: 1 page
References: Cite a minimum of 3 scholarly resources used to conduct and support your CQDAS evaluation.
Your evaluation table and rationale should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.
Upload your document and click the Submit to Dropbox button.
• Week 4 – Assignment 2: Select a Qualitative Data Analysis Software Application
Assignment 2 Instructions:
0. Based on the results of Week 4—Assignment 1, and after a review of the Week 4 Resources, create your video presentation by using a video capturing tool located in NCUOne. To access the video capturing tool, follow the tutorial found in your Books and Resources for this Week. You will explain your preference in using a CQDAS application or manual content analysis for qualitative data analysis.
1. Be sure to describe how and why your evaluation results in Assignment 1 informed your preference.
Length: 1-2 minutes Dear Writer, Please write 1-2 pages for assignment 2 and I will give the video based on that response
References: Describe in your video any Week 4 Resources or other sources that were informative and aided your preference decision. If you have a documented accommodation or other reason you cannot create a video, please contact your instructor as soon as possible for additional guidance.
Your presentation should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.