Balancing Depth and Breadth to Understand Macro Phenomena: Some Advice for Analyzing Global Qualitative Datasets

Abstract

For qualitative scholars, achieving interpretive depth when analyzing large global datasets represents a particular challenge. It is, however, a challenge worth navigating given the power of such datasets to provide a depth of insight into large-scale societal issues. Building on existing insights about qualitative analysis and examples from my own experience of large global research projects, here I seek to offer some advice in this regard. I provide three general heuristics that scholars can keep in mind as characterizing this endeavor: the hermeneutic circle, distributed cognition; and embracing doubt. I then show how these heuristics unfold practically, illustrating a four-step process that I hope is helpful for qualitative researchers seeking to balance depth and breadth to understand macro phenomena.