Reflections on qualitative data analysis software – Possibilities, limitations and challenges in qualitative educational research

Abstract

The progressing digitalization is increasingly permeating all spheres of life: also science. It has reached not only natural sciences, but also the humanities, such as qualitative educational research. For example, for the analysis of qualitative data in educational science researchers are increasingly using computer-assisted tools. This so-called QDA (qualitative-data-analyses) software was developed in the early 1980s in the course of the spreading digitalization to support the category based analyzes of qualitative research. Providing an overview about the current literature situation regarding QDA software and the issues addressed a systematical bibliographic research in pertinent databases were conducted. As a result, five different types of literature could be identified. Even though all categories are demonstrated only one is presented in detail. The paper focus on the category in which methodological issues are negotiated and illustrates the therein addressed arguments. Possibilities and limitations of QDA software for educational research are illustrated and past and present discussions regarding this software are outlined. In particular, it is emphasized that so far limitations of QDA software are rarely addressed. In order to deal with this void in the future more comprehensively a set of questions is proposed, which allows to reflect the use of QDA software in a specific research project in an extensive manner. Concluding further questions are raised and it is discussed if also sequential analyzes can be carried out with current QDA software or if they need new digital tools.