Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This mixed methods study examined the needs of researchers learning qualitative data analysis (QDA) and computer assisted qualitative data analysis (CAQDAS), and used the findings to develop an online resource to help with training. The project aimed to evaluate learning needs so undertook a range of interviews and observations with researchers using the software and an online survey. The results highlighted several general issues of relevance to the training of researchers in qualitative methods. As well as identifying particular issues of learning and support that the web site needed to address, the researchers noticed that respondents talked generally about the place of software in their own and their peers’ work and other themes emerged in terms of how they talked of and performed qualitative research. The data available from the UKDA includes 20 semi-structured interviews with CAQDAS software users and trainers, 8 observation transcripts of one-to-one training sessions and the data from an online questionnaire survey. Further information can be found on the Online QDA web site and the ESRC Award web page.

Main Topics:

Interviews: Topics discussed included current employment role, how they use the software, training and support received, advantages and disadvantages of software. The sample was designed to include a range of the different kinds of users (with differing levels of experience and expertise, and with different roles – PhD student, software trainer, researcher). Observations: All volunteers were attending CAQDAS training and were asked to talk aloud about their thinking as they used (or sometimes misused) the software. The idea of this approach was to reveal misunderstandings about the software, points of difficulty or struggle in the use of the software, and to resolve the difficulties during the session. Online survey: The survey attempted to complement information from interviews and observations, but contacted a much wider range of researchers, including many outside the UK. The questionnaire asked respondents about their current position, their job, their discipline and their level and experience of training in QDA and CAQDAS. Respondents were then asked about their current project and their use of CAQDAS and then a range of questions about what training priorities they had.

Volunteer sample

Convenience sample

Face-to-face interview

Self-completion

Observation