SRA Training

Qualitative Data Analysis: Foundation
Summary:	Have you ever felt daunted by a volume of data? Then help is at hand: this course is designed to help participants get started on analysing their qualitative material. It provides a map of different approaches but then focuses on Thematic Analysis, a cross-sectional substantive (rather than structural) method. Talks and practical workshops will take participants through the process of data management and initial interpretation. Some experience of qualitative research, or attendance on other qualitative courses, is vital. The day is appropriate for those whose data are in the form of semi-structured or in-depth interviews, focus groups or field notes, but is not geared towards the analysis of open-ended responses to questionnaire items.
Objectives:	By the end of the workshop, delegates will: be familiar with key principles of good analytical practice understand the objectives and procedures used in different analytical approaches have both theoretical and practical knowledge of the key stages of data management and generation of findings discover for themselves what rigorous and transparent analysis involves
Topics:	During the course we will cover: alternative approaches to analysis keystages in the analytical process thecontribution of computer assisted analysis software data management constructing a thematic or analytic framework, labeling or coding the data sorting according to themes interpretation - identifying key dimensions, meanings, attitudes, behaviours
Who will benefit?	Researchers who have already collected some qualitative data (semi-structured / in-depth interviews or focus groups) or who are familiar with what such data look like. Commissioners and evaluators qualitative research projects
Learning outcomes:	Participants will gain a good understanding of different stages in qualitative data analysis, and will have practiced devising, refining and applying a thematic framework to samples of qualitative data conducting some descriptive analysis.
Course tutor:	Liz Spencer is a Sociologist and an Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences who has specialised in qualitative methods since 1973. She has held research posts at a number of British universities, including the London School of Economics, The London Graduate School of Business Studies, and the University of Essex, and was a Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research. She teaches a range of courses for the Social Research Association and for the Universities of Hong Kong and Essex, and has been a Visiting Professor at the Institute for Higher Studies in Vienna. Currently Liz is a Research Associate of the Institute for Social and Economic Research as well as an independent research consultant. Her recent methodological publications include chapters in Qualitative Research Practice and a report for the Cabinet Office on judging the quality of qualitative research and evaluation. Together with Jane Ritchie, she pioneered ‘Framework’, a matrix-based approach to data management and display
Date & Location:	14th March 2012, Registration 09.00 - 09.30, Course 09.30 - 17.00 Location: London
Programme	Download Programme, and booking form (doc)