Analyzing Qualitative Interview Data: Methods, Strategies, and Transparency

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association – 7th Edition – 9781433832178 – Page 231 Review

“The methodology section of any research paper, particularly in qualitative studies like those often found in medical ebooks, demands a rigorous and transparent account of how data was collected and analyzed. This section serves as a crucial bridge between the research question and the findings, allowing readers to critically evaluate the study’s validity and reliability. A key component of this section lies in detailing the ‘recording and data transformation’ processes employed. Specifically, the methodology should ‘identify data audio/visual recording methods, field notes, or transcription processes used.’ This level of detail is essential for understanding how raw data was captured and prepared for subsequent analysis. For instance, specifying the type of recording equipment used (e.g., digital audio recorder, video camera) and the rationale behind its selection is important. Furthermore, if field notes were taken, the methodology should describe their content and how they were integrated with other data sources. Most importantly, the transcription process needs to be thoroughly explained, including whether it was verbatim, the transcription conventions used, and who performed the transcription. Any deviations from verbatim transcription (e.g., removing pauses or filler words) should be justified.

The heart of the methodology section focuses on the ‘data–analytic strategies’ used. This involves a comprehensive description of ‘the methods and procedures used and for what purpose/goal.’ The researchers need to ‘explicate in detail the process of analysis, including some discussion of the procedures (e.g., coding, thematic analysis) following a principle of transparency.’ Transparency is paramount here, meaning that the researchers should provide a clear and accessible account of each step taken during the analysis. This includes specifying the analytical approach used (e.g., grounded theory, phenomenology, discourse analysis) and explaining how that approach aligns with the research question.

Coding, a common procedure in qualitative analysis, deserves particular attention. The methodology should clarify whether the coding was inductive (emerging from the data) or deductive (based on pre-existing theory). As the text states, the researcher should ‘identify whether coding categories emerged from the analyses or were developed a priori.’ If the categories were developed a priori, the theoretical framework or previous research that informed their development should be cited. If the categories emerged from the data, the process of their emergence should be described in detail. This could include examples of how initial codes were developed, how they were refined and grouped into larger categories, and how the relationships between categories were explored. It is equally important to ‘describe coders or analysts and their training, if not already described in the researcher description section (e.g., coder selection, collaboration groups).’ The experience and expertise of the coders or analysts can significantly impact the interpretation of the data. Therefore, their backgrounds, training in qualitative methods, and familiarity with the research topic should be documented. If multiple coders were involved, the methodology should describe the process of establishing inter-coder reliability, which measures the consistency of coding across different coders. This can be achieved through techniques such as calculating Cohen’s Kappa or performing inter-coder agreement analysis.

Furthermore, the methodology should ‘identify units of analysis (e.g., entire transcript, unit, text) and how units were formed, if applicable.’ The unit of analysis refers to the specific segment of data that is being analyzed. For example, the unit of analysis might be an entire interview transcript, a specific paragraph, a sentence, or even a single word or phrase. The rationale for selecting a particular unit of analysis should be explained. If the units were formed through a segmentation process, the methodology should describe the criteria used for segmenting the data.

The evolution of the analytic scheme, if applicable, should also be documented. According to the text, one should ‘describe the process of arriving at an analytic scheme, if applicable (e.g., if one was developed before or during the analysis or was emergent throughout).’ The analytic scheme refers to the overall framework for organizing and interpreting the data. It may be developed before the analysis begins (a priori), during the analysis (iterative), or may emerge throughout the analytical process. For example, in grounded theory, the analytic scheme typically emerges iteratively as the researcher collects and analyzes data. Providing ‘illustrations and descriptions of the analytic scheme development, if relevant’ can enhance the transparency and credibility of the research. This might involve including diagrams or flowcharts that visually represent the relationships between different categories or themes. Finally, the methodology should ‘indicate software, if used.’ If qualitative data analysis software (e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA) was used, the methodology should specify the software and the version used. While the use of software can facilitate data management and analysis, it is important to emphasize that the software is merely a tool and does not replace the researcher’s critical thinking and interpretation.”

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