Qualitative Analysis Software Package Research Articles

An investigation on social impact performance assessment of the social enterprises: Identification of an ideal social entrepreneurship model

AbstractThis study examines the characteristics of ideal social entrepreneurship by assessing their social impact. The use of the contemporary design and triangulation approach allows for validating information gathered from different sources. Data were collected from in‐depth interviews, focus group interviews and documentary analysis, and MAXQDA (a qualitative analysis software package) was used for data management, coding and retrieval. The performance assessment logic model was used to assess the social performance of social enterprises. The findings show that selected social ventures have created a remarkable social value that explicitly resulted in economic empowerment, community improvement, career growth and political empowerment of its intended beneficiaries. We also found a significant variation in the linkage between social performance indicators, such as inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact, across the five selected case studies.

Coding Metaphors in Interaction: A Study Protocol and Reflection on Validity and Reliability Challenges

With this study protocol, we present our approach to collaboratively coding metaphors in medical consultations, using the qualitative analysis software package ATLAS.ti. This project came with a number of challenges but also yielded a coded data set that was rich and versatile, and allowed for a wide array of analyses. We therefore believe it can be of interest to share the details of the process, to (1) provide an hands-on approach to qualitative, collaborative (metaphor) coding, and (2) contribute to our understanding and the advancement of qualitative methods in relation to coding metaphors, and coding more generally. The protocol can be of interest for researchers interested in collaborative qualitative coding, of metaphors or other (linguistic) units, using software. We specifically describe how we set up our initial coding system, and how we further developed it inductively; how we dealt with the fuzziness of metaphors; how we approach cleaning between coding rounds; how we divided work over and collaborated as a team of three coders with different but related cultural and linguistic backgrounds; how we structured our documentation and logbook. We then discuss how this set of guidelines complements the theoretical literature and more general guidelines on (metaphor) coding, and on reliability and validity in qualitative research. We will reflect on both a number of logistic and practical issues, as well as methodological and empirical challenges, and advantages and disadvantages of our approach.

The experience of female oncological patients and fertility preservation: A phenomenology study.

The aim of this study is to analyse the experience of fertility preservation among female oncological patients. A phenomenological study was conducted in an Assisted Human Reproduction Unit. The sample was composed of 14 females of reproductive age diagnosed with a cancer that may affect reproductive function, who had undergone a fertility preservation procedure. In-depth interviews were carried out, and the transcripts were entred into the Atlas.ti.v.8.2.3 qualitative analysis software package. The steps proposed by Taylor-Bogdan were followed in the analysis of the data. Four thematic categories emerged in relation to the experience with the fertility preservation process: interruption of life plans and changes in the person; knowledge about fertility preservation options, reproductive capacity and impact because of the possible loss; dyadic relationshipsand social representations of fertility. Patients suffer from difficulties when making decisions about fertility whilst dealing with a cancer diagnosis. They need adequate information and support from health professionals. Despite increasing awareness of fertility preservation, there is a lack of knowledge regarding patients' experiences and needs related to this process.

Chefs’ perspectives of failures in foodservice kitchens, part 1: A phenomenological exploration of the concepts, types, and causes of food production failure

ABSTRACT The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept, types, and causes of food production failure (FPF) in restaurant kitchens from the perspective of chefs. Employing a phenomenological epistemology, a qualitative methodology was adopted to explore FPF. Extant literature was reviewed. Using purposive sampling, and employing an emic posture, 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior restaurant and hotel chefs until saturation occurred. Interviews were transcribed, read repeatedly, and coded using the qualitative analysis software package QDA Miner Lite. An inter-rater reliability score of .78 using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient formula reflected substantial agreement between coders. Thematic analysis was used. The study revealed three main categories of FPF types (sensory/organoleptic, safety, other) and FPF causes (People related failure; Operation-related failure; and Food supply/supplier-related failures). A conceptual model was developed from these categories underpinned by management control systems, continuous training, clear communication, and the organizational culture and climate of kitchens. Chefs found that FPF was inevitable based on human error, and can be precipitated by certain factors but reduced by other interventions. Research findings may assist in reducing its frequency, thereby increasing customer satisfaction and retention while reducing financial and environmental costs of FPF. Practical, theoretical, and managerial implications are discussed.

Utilising a systematic knowledge management based system to optimise project management operations in oil and gas organisations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the efficacy of knowledge management (KM) based systems and best practices that could be used to address operational issues in the oil and gas sector.Design/methodology/approachGiven little was known empirically about the strategies and practices which contribute to improved performance, innovation and continuous improvement in the oil and gas sector qualitative method was used. Semi-structured interviews were used to derive senior managers’ constructs of project delivery efficiency and KM based systems. The interviews were analysed through the use of a qualitative analysis software package NUDIST NVivoTM. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Validity and reliability were achieved by first assessing the plausibility in terms of already existing knowledge on some of the operational issues raised by participants.FindingsThese were synthesised into a framework capturing seven well-defined stages. All these steps emerged as being related; they are comprised of independent variables. These steps were found to comprise of knowledge management technology approaches, knowledge management people approaches, KM strategies and value enhancing practices.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the findings are pertinent to oil and gas organisations, it will be important to conduct follow-up research validating the potential for using the results of this study to establish frameworks for knowledge and information management in different organisations and contexts. This will provide not only data about the validity of the framework in generic terms but will also generate additional data on the application of KM strategy.Practical implicationsAs shown in this study, successful KM based systems requires the aligning of business strategy, technology for KM, project management operations with an enterprise knowledge-sharing culture. Such sharing requires managing the behaviour of project personnel such that knowledge transfer becomes part of the organisation’s norm.Social implicationsThe implementation of KM based systems requires deliberate planning and action to create the conditions for success and put in place the strategy, leadership, goals, process, skills, systems, issue resolution, and structure to direct and exploit the dynamic nature of project work. The strategies proposed in this research cannot be expected to resolve all KM issues in the oil and gas sector. However, their use defines an approach that is superior to the traditional approaches typically adopted and consequently merits far wider application.Originality/valueThe proposed framework presents a better way of optimising the performance of project-based operations thus enabling oil and gas organisations to reform their poor performance on projects and empower them to better manage emerging cultural challenges in their future projects. Reflecting on their experiences, the participants confirmed that the proposed KM framework and its seven well-defined stages were central to the effectiveness of KM in oil and gas operations. Although the scope of this research was restricted to projects in Nigeria and the UK, the geographical focus of this research does not invalidate these results with respect to other countries. The fact is that the oil and gas sector globally shares some common fundamental characteristics.

Utilising a Systematic Knowledge Management Based System to Optimise Project Management Operations in Oil and Gas Organisation

Purpose: This research examined the efficacy of knowledge management based systems and best practices that could be used to address operational issues in the oil and gas sector. Design/methodology/approach: Given little was known empirically about the strategies and practices which contribute to improved performance, innovation and continuous improvement in the oil and gas sector qualitative method was used. Semi-structured interviews were used to derive senior managers’ constructs of project delivery efficiency and knowledge management based systems. The interviews were analysed through the use of a qualitative analysis software package NUDIST NVivoTM. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Validity and reliability were achieved by first assessing the plausibility in terms of already existing knowledge on some of the operational issues raised by participants. Findings: These were synthesised into a framework capturing seven-well defined stages. All these steps emerged as being related; they are comprised of independent variables. These steps were found to comprise of knowledge management technology approaches, knowledge management people approaches, knowledge management strategies and value enhancing practices. Research limitations/implications: Although the findings are pertinent to oil and gas organisations, it will be important to conduct follow-up research validating the potential for using the results of this study to establish frameworks for knowledge and information management in different organisations and contexts. This will provide not only data about the validity of the framework in generic terms but will also generate additional data on the application of knowledge management strategy. Practical implications: As shown in this study, successful knowledge management based systems requires the aligning of business strategy, technology for knowledge management, project management operations with an enterprise-knowledge sharing culture. Such sharing requires managing the behaviour of project personnel such that knowledge transfer becomes part of the organisation’s norm. Social implications: The implementation of knowledge management based systems requires deliberate planning and action to create the conditions for success and put in place the strategy, leadership, goals, process, skills, systems, issue resolution, and structure to direct and exploit the dynamic nature of project work. The strategies proposed in this research cannot be expected to resolve all knowledge management issues in the oil and gas sector. However, their use defines an approach that is superior to the traditional approaches typically adopted and consequently merits far wider application. Originality/value: The proposed framework presents a better way of optimising the performance of project-based operations thus enabling oil and gas organisations to reform their poor performance on projects and empower them to better manage emerging cultural challenges in their future projects. Reflecting on their experiences, the participants confirmed that the proposed knowledge management framework and its seven well-defined stages were central to the effectiveness of knowledge management in oil and gas operations. Although the scope of this research was restricted to projects in Nigeria and the UK, the geographical focus of this research does not invalidate these results with respect to other countries. The fact is that the oil and gas sector globally shares some common fundamental characteristics.

Learn for Yourself: The Self-Learning Tools for Qualitative Analysis Software Packages

Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) are tools that help researchers to develop qualitative research projects. These software packages help the users with tasks such as transcription analysis, coding and text interpretation, writing and annotation, content search and analysis, recursive abstraction, grounded theory methodology, discourse analysis, data mapping, among several other types of analysis. This paper analyses the new paradigm of self-learning that presents itself increasingly as a competence to support learning in a proactive way. It further analyses education and CAQDAS with emphasis on the use of CAQDAS in educational research and the self-learning of CAQDAS. The study conducted had two main goals: analyse the self-learning tools of CAQDAS and identify CAQDAS's users profile regarding learning. Six software packages were selected: NVivo, Atlas.ti, Dedoose, webQDA, MAXQDA, and QDA Miner. They were then reviewed, taking into account their transversality, language, (self-learning) tools, among several other factors. The results show that there is a considerable demand for information from users regarding the execution of processes in CAQDAS, and that the packages analysed do not guide the user towards the self-learning tools that best fit their learning style.

An exploration of caregiver burden for children with nodding syndrome (lucluc) in Northern Uganda.

BackgroundCaregivers of patients with chronic illnesses are often uncompensated for work that is physically demanding, time consuming and emotionally and economically draining. This is particularly true for caregivers of children with nodding syndrome, an emergent neurological disorder of unknown etiology in resource poor settings in Africa.We aimed to explore perceptions of caregivers regarding challenges that a typical caregiver faces when caring for a child with nodding syndrome.MethodsWe used a qualitative exploratory study design with focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to collect data. We analyzed data using the qualitative analysis software package of NVivo and thematic query building.ResultsEmergent themes centered on burden of care with emotional agony as the most prominent. Subthemes reflecting the burden of care giving included child and caregiver safety concerns, burnout, social isolation and rejection, and homicidal ideation. Caregivers also complained of physical and financial constraints associated with the care of children with nodding syndrome.ConclusionsThe findings point to a high burden of care for caregivers of children with nodding syndrome and suggests the need to incorporate community-based psychosocial and mental health care services for the caregivers of affected children into the national health system response.

Disclosing food allergy status in schools: health-related stigma among school children in Ontario.

In 2006, 3years after the tragic death of 13-year-old Sabrina Shannon, the Province of Ontario (Canada) passed Sabrina's Law ushering in a new era of focus and concern for severe food allergic children at risk of anaphylaxis. Questions were raised at the time regarding the potential of doing more harm than good with the new legislation. This paper reports the experiences of health-related stigma among food allergic children at risk of anaphylaxis who were required to disclose their health status under this new legislation. In 2008, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 children and youth and their parents in order to explore the experiences living with a severe food allergy. This particular study explores their experiences of felt and enacted stigma in the school setting as a result of the disclosure process. Interviews were tape recorded with permission and transcribed for subsequent thematic analysis using NVIVO, a qualitative analysis software package. Results indicate that participants were stigmatised as a result of protective school policies under the law, and that created tension between their physical safety and social well-being. Sabrina's Law also led to a cultural shift in awareness of food allergies that resulted in some participants normalising their health status, offering promising directions for the future.

Studying the use of forest management decision support systems: an initial synthesis of lessons learned from case studies compiled using a semantic wiki

In order to share information on the development and use of forest management decision support systems (FMDSS), a European-initiated network has established a wiki website as part of its activities. Case studies and associated lessons learned were solicited from the network using semantic structures built on the wiki. A total of 31 cases from 10 different countries and 80 associated lessons were entered into the wiki. The resulting lessons were categorized (non-exclusively) using four major themes: (1) decision support system architecture and design (40 lessons), (2) methods and models (26), (3) knowledge management processes (34) and (4) participatory processes (32). The semantic wiki proved useful for gathering case information and relating it to other information objects, such as FMDSS software descriptions; however, it was not as well suited to the task of analysis and synthesis as commercial qualitative analysis software packages. Future development possibilities for the semantic structures are suggested, and more cases are solicited from the FMDSS community.

Understanding the nature of knowledge: an empirical study of knowledge sharing in a knowledge intensive organisation

This paper contributes to knowledge sharing theory and provides a practical approach for managing organisational knowledge. This research study investigates the impact of knowledge on knowledge sharing and defines a framework to manage individuals and organisational knowledge to improve performance. Qualitative methods such as individual semi-structured interviews, on-site observations, and document analysis are used to collect data from a US knowledge intensive organisation. Data analysis is organised through Atlas.ti®, a qualitative analysis software package. Selection, deviation, re-alignment, and conformity emerged as critical aspects of knowledge sharing. This study pointed out the nature of knowledge, highlighted impediments to the knowledge sharing process, and suggested strategies to improve the overall organisational effectiveness. Implications for theory and practise, limitations connected to empirical generalisability, and suggestions for future research are also discussed.

The Influence of Second Language Experience and Accent Familiarity on Oral Proficiency Rating: A Qualitative Investigation

This study investigates whether raters' knowledge of test takers' first language (L1) affects how the raters orient themselves to the task of rating oral speech. The authors qualitatively investigated the effects of accent familiarity on raters' score assignment processes. Twenty‐six trained raters with a second language of Mandarin Chinese, Korean, or Spanish rated English speech samples from 72 English language learners from three L1 backgrounds (Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and Spanish). Afterward, raters watched videos of themselves rating and discussed their rating processes. Analyses of data, assisted by the qualitative analysis software package QSR NVivo 8, revealed that some raters attended to and were influenced by test‐taker accent and L1. Raters who were heritage language learners discussed how their personal heritage status influenced how they thought about the speech samples from speakers whose L1 matched their heritage language. Although sensitivity to test‐taker accents seemed to occur naturally in the rating process, findings suggest that when raters have learned or know, to varying degrees, the test takers' L1, they tend to orient themselves to the speech in a biased way, compromising test reliability.

Communication overload: a phenomenological inquiry into academic reference librarianship

PurposeThis study aims to provide insight on the meaning of communication overload as experienced by modern academic librarians. Communication is the essence of reference librarianship, and a practically endless array of synchronous and asynchronous communication tools (ICTs) are available to facilitate communication.Design/methodology/approachThis study relied on a phenomenological methodology, which included nine in‐depth interviews with academic librarians. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using RQDA, a qualitative analysis software package that facilitates coding, category building, and project management.FindingsSeven themes about librarianship emerged from this research: attending to communication abundance, librarians of two types, instruction not reference, twenty‐first century librarianship, user needs, trusted methods: filter not retrieve, and self‐impact. The shared meaning of communication overload among these librarians is that it is a problem when it detracts from or hinders their ability to assist their users.Practical implicationsFurther research should contribute to an understanding of communication as a problem when it interferes with serving the librarians' users, or to an understanding of interpersonal communication within the librarians' organizational structures and in their broader professional networks.Social implicationsResearch in popular psychology has focused on the negative impacts on productivity and concentration of living in an always‐plugged‐in environment. This research confirms that librarians should have time to work away from digital distractions to maintain job satisfaction.Originality/valueImportant work by Radford and Dervin has focused on communication with users. This study focuses on the impact of ICTs on librarians' work and personal lives.

Interprofessional collaboration among junior doctors and nurses in the hospital setting

Evidence suggests that doctors and nurses do not always work collaboratively in health care settings and that this contributes to suboptimal patient care. However, there is little information on interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among new medical and nursing graduates working together for the first time in a multidisciplinary health care team. Our aim was to understand the nature of the interactions, activities and issues affecting these new graduates in order to inform interventions to improve IPC in this context. We interviewed 25 junior doctors and nurses and explored their experiences of working together. Interviews were transcribed, entered into a qualitative analysis software package and data were coded against a theoretical framework for health care team function. Although interviewees expressed mutual respect, organisational structures often limited the extent to which they could establish professional relationships. Sharing information and agreeing goals were considered fundamental to good decision making, but the working environment and differing perspectives could make this difficult to achieve. Our data suggest that junior doctors and nurses see themselves as having complementary and non-competitive roles in patient care. The establishing of an interprofessional team was seen to require leadership, which was not always apparent. Without leadership, new members were not always well oriented to the team. The need to maintain an environment in which open communication could take place was acknowledged as important for patient safety, but there were some barriers to achieving this. Our data highlight the professionalism, respect and adaptability of these junior health professionals. We document the types of collaborative activities and tensions relevant in this context and, based on our findings, provide some strategies for improving IPC.

Depression: a psychiatric nursing theory of connectivity

This paper presents a theory of connectivity, which was formulated from the findings of a Classical Grounded Theory study that was designed to capture a sample of people's perceptions of living with depression or caring for individuals with depression. Data were collected from: (1) a focus group consisting of people with depression (n = 7), of which five were patients in the community and two were nurses; (2) one-to-one interviews with patients in the community (n = 5) and nurses (n = 5), three of whom had experienced depression from both sides of the caring process; and (3) two 'happy accident' focus groups (n = 25; n = 18) comprising of healthcare workers with a shared understanding of depression. Purposeful sampling was used initially. Thereafter, in keeping with one of the key tenets of grounded theory, theoretical sampling was used until theoretical saturation occurred. Data were analysed using the constant comparative approach together with the NVivo qualitative analysis software package. The core category that emerged was 'connectivity' relating to the connections and disconnections, which people make in their lives. Six key categories emerged all of which were integrated with the core category. Hence, connectivity provided a significant platform for understanding and responding to the life experience of depression. They were: (1) life encounters on the journey to naming; (2) depression: What's in a name? The silent thief; (3) tentative steps to health care; (4) connective encounters and challenges; (5) connecting with self; and (6) self-connection maintenance. Subsequently, a theory, 'Depression: a psychiatric nursing theory of connectivity', surfaced from the overall findings. We argue that this theory of connectivity provides a framework that people working in the field of holistic treatment and care could use to better understand and respond to the life experience of people living with depression.

Embedding corporate responsibility: the development of a transformational model of organizational innovation

Purpose – This paper aims to describe a model for embedding corporate responsibility through innovation and organizational transformation.Design/methodology/approach – The model was developed from the findings of a qualitative case study, describing the design and implementation of an innovation development program. Data from semi‐structured interviews with program participants were entered into a qualitative analysis software package and a thematic analysis was conducted based on the principles of grounded theory that uses predominantly emergent coding categories. The results of this analysis were then linked with relevant theoretical concepts from the research literature in order to develop and extend the case through a process of deductive theory‐building, drawing on theories of innovation and organizational design.Findings – The findings illustrate the potential of the model for enhancing and embedding corporate responsibility practices in a bottom‐up way, through a process of customer‐engagement and ...

Early life experiences and their impact on our understanding of depression

This paper presents part of a larger Grounded Theory study, which was designed to capture a sample of people's perceptions of living with or, caring for, individuals with depression. Data were collected from a focus group consisting of people with depression (n = 7). In-depth one-to-one interviews were undertaken with eight further respondents (n = 8). Purposeful sampling was used initially. Thereafter, in keeping with one of the key tenets of grounded theory, theoretical sampling was used. The emergent concepts were pursued until saturation occurred. The constant comparative approach was used to analyse the data together with the NVivo qualitative analysis software package. This paper focuses on the respondents' perceptions of the pre-diagnosis, depression encounter. The key category that emerged was 'the pre-diagnosis phase of depression and the now experience'. Five key themes surfaced within this category: (1) negative impact significant life events; (2) self-blame; (3) personal characteristics; (4) pre-diagnosis, depression unknowingness; and (5) pre-help seeking. The findings suggest that those in the field of human services need to better understand the lived experience of people with depression, in order to provide holistic treatment and care.

Development of a Decision Tree to Determine Appropriateness of NVivo in Analyzing Qualitative Data Sets

A decision tree was developed to determine when NVivo is an appropriate tool for qualitative analysis. NVivo, a qualitative analysis software package, was used to analyze interviews of 204 Asian, Hispanic, and white parents in 12 states. The experience provided insight into issues that should be considered when deciding to use the software. NVivo can enhance the qualitative research process, quickly process queries, and expand analytical avenues. Before using, however, the following must be considered: training time, establishing inter-coder reliability, number and length of documents, coding time, coding structure, use of automated coding, and possible need for separate databases or additional supporting software.

Community response to intermittent preventive treatment delivered to infants (IPTi) through the EPI system in Manhiça, Mozambique

To describe attitudes to the expanded programme on immunization (EPI) and intermittent preventive treatment in infants (IPTi), and perceptions of the relationship between them. In particular, whether the introduction of IPTi negatively affects community attitudes to, or use of, EPI; or, conversely, whether and if so how, the concurrent delivery of IPTi and immunization influences perceptions of IPTi. Anthropological study carried out in the context of a trial of IPTi with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine delivered alongside routine EPI vaccinations. We used open in-depth interviews, semi-structured interviews and participant observation, conducted in both community and clinic settings. IPTi was generally acceptable, in spite of initial resistance. Perceived negative aspects of IPTi did not affect perceptions of EPI, and IPTi was not misinterpreted as immunization against malaria, leading to a reduction of other preventive measures or delay in treatment seeking. Initial resistance was related more to the trial than to IPTi per se, but both rejection and acceptance were embedded in a complex constellation of local and wider contextual factors. IPTi delivered together with EPI was generally accepted after initial rejection. The factors that led to this rejection were largely local and trial related, but they did resonate with much wider cultural themes (rumours about research and health interventions, gender inequality and health-related decision making). The prior acceptance and routine administration of EPI played a key role in the acceptance of IPTi in this community. However, more studies, in different social and cultural settings and using different drugs and regimens, are needed before generalizations can be made. Although trial settings are different from actual implementation, it is necessary to study acceptability before implementation in order to anticipate problems and design information campaigns to ensure maximum community acceptance.