Companion to Qualitative Analysis

Qualitative analysis resembles a puzzle; you are confronted with a heap of data and you find yourself wondering: what should I do next? Ideally, you have already started the analysis before the amount of data becomes overwhelming. However, realistically, qualitative research inevitably generates a large amount of data that requires thorough organization, interpretation, combination and manipulation. A Companion to Qualitative Analysis introduces the concept of Thick analysis, a triangulation strategy that enables you to systematically examine your data from a broad perspective to get the most out of your research. Part I of the book provides a theoretical overview of different analysis methods, the use of QDAS (qualitative data analysis software), ethical considerations and quality demands. Part II illustrates what the combination of different analyses of the same dataset by several researchers yields. And this is what Thick analysis is about! Jeanine Evers wants to challenge you to think and grow, while reading and rereading, to understand what Thick analysis might mean for your own research. The book is appropriate for PhD, Master and Bachelor students and researchers in different phases of their career.

Jeanine Evers studied Cultural Anthropology and Public Administration. She has been associated with several universities in the Netherlands as lecturer of qualitative research methods. Currently she is owner-director of Evers Research & training, an agency that provides training and coaching in qualitative methods and analysis software for researchers and PhD students.

Part I Theory and practice of Thick analysis 1 a brief introduction to qualitative research 2 Qualitative analysis and thick analysis: exploration of the concept 3 Qualitative analysis and thick analysis: exploring the process 4 An account of analysis methods Thick analysis: 5 Quality requirements for a research project 6 Influence mechanisms during the research process 7 The final analysis step: reporting your project Part II Concerning an analysis experiment, data management and archiving 8 Introduction to Part II 9 Crash, crunch, carnage: crisis metaphors in news texts 10 Debating the banking crisis: an argumentation analysis 11 Frame analysis: finding a way out of the financial crisis by means of frames 12 On reckless speculation and the ethics of saving: grounded theory the staring way 13 Tripod Beta analysis of opinions on the financial crisis 14 Data management: reuse and archiving of qualitative research data