With the growing availability of large-scale text-based data sets, there is an increasing need for an accessible and systematic way to analyze qualitative texts. This article introduces and details the contextual text coding (CTC) method as a mixed-methods approach to large-scale qualitative data analysis. The method is particularly useful for…

Transparency is once again a central issue of debate across types of qualitative research. Work on how to conduct qualitative data analysis, on the other hand, walks us through the step-by-step process on how to code and understand the data we've collected. Although there are a few exceptions, less focus is on transparency regarding…

The robustness of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) results features high on the agenda of methodologists and practitioners. This article aims at advancing this debate on several fronts. First, in line with the extant literature, we take a comprehensive view on robustness arguing that decisions on calibration, consistency, and frequency…

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the impact of the EdD experience on one teacher's understanding of data and research. From a first-person narrative, the author shares how learning to collect and analyze qualitative data has the potential to change the way teachers can engage with "data-driven decision making" in a high school…

Analyzing qualitative data from learning processes is considered "messy" and time consuming (Chi in J Learn Sci 6(3):271-315, 1997). It is often challenging to summarize and synthesize such data in a manner that conveys the richness and complexity of learning processes in a clear and concise manner. Moreover, qualitative data often…

The framework of cyber-archaeology was developed by Jones (1997, 2003) and later modified by Zimbra et al. (2010) to examine online networks and virtual communities. Since the modification, the method has fallen out of favor and is no longer utilized by qualitative researchers. To rebuild the method for qualitative research, we engaged in four…

This article introduces an open-source software package--R for Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA). RQDA is an R package for analysis of text-formatted data, which is compatible across operating platforms. It is user-friendly and seamlessly integrates with R, which makes it possible to conduct statistical analyses on qualitative coding. Alternative…

Purpose: The critical incident technique (CIT) is widely used in many disciplines; however, scholars have acknowledged challenges associated with analyzing qualitative data when using this technique. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to address the data analysis issues that have been raised by introducing some different contemporary ways…

This article presents a pedagogical strategy that uses Chex Mix™ as a visual and physical means of helping students learn data analysis. The manipulative is used to guide students to a deeper level of analysis by looking "within" and "between" data sources. Specific steps are shared about using Chex Mix™ snacks to teach the…

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Five-Level Qualitative Data Analysis (5LQDA) method for ATLAS.ti as a way to intentionally design methodological approaches applicable to the field of evaluation. To demonstrate my analytical process using ATLAS.ti, I use examples from an existing evaluation of a STEM Peer Learning Assistant program.…

Realist evaluation (RE) is a research design increasingly used in program evaluation, that aims to explore and understand the influence of context and underlying mechanisms on intervention or program outcomes. Several methodological challenges, however, are associated with this approach. This article summarizes RE key principles and examines some…

Transforming spoken words into written text in qualitative research is a vital step in familiarizing and immersing oneself in the data. We share a three-step approach of how data transcription facilitated an interpretative act of analysis in a study using qualitative data collection methods on the barriers and facilitators of HIV testing and…

This article outlines a three-phase, team-based approach used to analyze qualitative data from a nation-wide needs assessment of access to Veteran Health Administration services for rural-dwelling veterans. The method described here was used to develop the trustworthiness of findings from analysis of a large qualitative data set, without the use…

Fully "qualitative" surveys, which prioritise qualitative research values, and harness the rich potential of qualitative data, have much to offer qualitative researchers, especially given online delivery options. Yet the method remains underutilised, and there is little in the way of methodological discussion of qualitative surveys.…

Thoroughly conceptualized and designed member checks can strengthen credibility in qualitative research. Member checks can help researchers increase accuracy of their findings, reflect on their topic, and create change. Although member checks are widely used, numerous researchers have argued that they are often underdeveloped in terms of design…