Hi y'all,

So, I am about to enter that process called analysis. It is punctuated over the next few months with snippets of releasing findings at conferences small and large and writing up for journal articles primarily, and not just chapters.

My data is more or less manageable. The main part is transcripts of qualitative interviews (about 45 mins each) with 60 children. The second part which involves an analysis of websites comes later, but never mind, my query is about the interviews.

So, I have got all the transcripts and audio files into NVIVO. These should give me two empirical chapters, the agenda for which is pretty much defined by my conceptual framework i.e. NB that mine is not an inductive/ethnographic project, but a rather theory led, pre-existing frameworks and concepts guided thesis. (not going into more details here…)

So, in all, I know what themes, sub themes, categories I wish to look for. I know the two very different ways in which the data needs to be analysed. For Ch 6 I analyse the whole data comparing the kids by age groups. In Ch 7 I analyse the whole data again, this time focusing on something different - let's say '4 different ways in which these kids do something'. As you see the first chapter involves a focus on age (so my sub headings will follow age groups), the second chapter involves a focus on ways in which they do something (where subheadings are these ways, and under each way, I have kids from all ages).

Ok, so what differences and similarities I am looking for across age are kind of pre decided by my theoretical priorities, but of course within these, there's lots of room for the data to throw up new stuff. For the chapter on ways/modes, there are four theory derived modes.

Any pointers on how to begin this task? I open NVIVO, look at my transcripts and shudder and go do something else.

I know some of you guys have huge projects (Sneaks. You have all my respect! And Wally too) … so can anyone doing analysis of qual interview transcripts give me some push/motivation/tips on getting going?

Xx
Bug
　
:-s:$

As you are analysing it in different ways I would do one at a time - that way you will also end up with at least one chapter complete, rather than loads of unfinished work. I would also use completely different NVIVO files for the 2 different projects.

Therefore you need to be very clear that you are analysing it in e.g. method A. I have analysed the same data in different ways, and I find it difficult sometimes to remember that in my 2nd way, I'm not looking for themes, but explanations! - anway, I put huge A4 pages up with really big print to remind me - e.g. I have an A4 page with the name of my theme in about font size 70 or something.

If you are planning to use quotes at all I recommend making a word doc and pulling out ones you like, while you analyse - its a nightmare to do it afterwards (I know from my own experience!)

I would just start by doing one in your first method and seeing how it goes. I have learnt the hard way that its best to just do it - otherwise you will find yourself having to rush it because you told your supervisor it was done already :$

Thanks a bunch. yes will make separate NVIVO files. Yes, I gues its best to one chapt first and then touch the second one. Sounds loads saner. Thanks Sneaks :)

I really think it helps to have the aims of that particular study laid out in front of you, literally, so you can refer back to it all the time.