Thesis Guidelines for Qualitative Data Analysis

Thesis Guidelines for Qualitative Data Analysis

Introduction

The selection of the topic for the thesis writing required extensive research as it would help in identifying the facts related to a broader area to the topic to determine the way to narrow it down. The students after narrowing down the topic need to select the nature of methodological approach to be used in gathering data for the study.
In research, the two common methodologies often used are qualitative research and quantitative research. Qualitative research focuses on subjective presentation of data to resolve the problem whereas quantitative research focuses on sharing objective information in sharing required data in resolving the raised issue in the study. In the methodology for the thesis writing, effective understanding of the nature of data analysis method to be used is required among the students. This is because data analysis helps in evaluating the gathered data to reach relevant insights regarding the study. Here, I will be providing a detailed guideline of performing a qualitative data analysis for thesis writing.

Qualitative Data Gathering and Analysis in Research

Qualitative data is mainly gathered through interaction with the subjects by the researchers. The interaction is recorded in written as well as audio format to be later analysed in presenting effective data analysis. The professionals offering spss help mention that qualitative data analysis is often time consuming and requires increased effort for deduction. Thus, they prefer to use a quantitative data analysis method which ensures quicker data analysis through use of software in analysing numeric data.
However, the professionals offering spss data analysis services also consider that qualitative data analysis helps in better understanding of the views of the subjects regarding the topic compared to data analysed through quantitative way. The professionals offering spss help mention that choice of spss data analysis or qualitative data analysis is entirely dependent upon the nature of study. Moreover, they mention that qualitative data analysis also occurs in two distinctive approaches and researchers are required to select one of them based on the study goal.

    1. Inductive approach: The inductive approach is one where the researchers are involved in performing specific observations and measurements to detect the themes as well as patterns of data. This approach is time-consuming and follows no predetermined rules as the research hypotheses are not formed. The researchers use the approach in determining emerging patterns of data that reflect regarding what could be discovered.

    2. Deductive approach: The approach involves analysis of data based on previous structure determined by the research during initial formulation of the study. They have predetermined questions, hypotheses and objectives to be followed in presenting data analysis. The approach is used when the researcher is required to evaluate key categories of information related to theoretical considerations in the study.

Qualitative Data Analysis Methods in Thesis Writing

The actions are to be performed by researchers and professionals involved in providing thesis writing help who are opting to use qualitative data analysis methods to analyse data in the study.

    1. The qualitative data to be analysed are to be written in narrative form which could be accomplished by the researchers by reading the gathered data multiple times to develop familiarity with the way it is to be written from beginning to end and has similarities and patterns.

    2. The professionals offering qualitative data analysis help inform that the researchers are to review the research objectives and understand the question as well as hypothesis to determine the way data analysis is to be presented so that they all are met effectively.

    3. The presence of variation is common in qualitative data as it involves a range of data which are based on discovery-based information. The data gathered in the study requires the qualitative researchers to evaluate them to understand why they are different or similar to one another as it later helps in coding them for data categorisation to finally mention the facts under proper themes.

    4. The final step to get prepared for the qualitative data analysis process according to professionals offering thesis writing help is developing themes so that the data gathered could be mentioned in proper manner.

The professionals offering spss help or supporting correlation analysis SPSS mentions that the qualitative research is no less than quantitative research. It is evident as there are several methods for qualitative data analysis as similarly seen in case of quantitative data analysis for thesis writing. Here, I will be mentioning the different methods of qualitative data analysis from which the researcher can choose to write the thesis.

    1. Thematic analysis is the common and foremost method used for qualitative data analysis. It is used in an inductive approach to discover the key data patterns through a series of coding exercises in developing the themes.

    2. Content analysis is used for deductive approach in which relevant qualitative information gathered from media, articles, journals, texts and others are evaluated to perform data analysis.

    3. Narrative analysis involves the method of analysing story-based content from interviews to gather required answers for the raised questions in the study or thesis.

Ways to apply qualitative data analysis in thesis writing

    1. The researchers are required to gather qualitative data for the thesis through interviews, exploration of case studies, examination of existing articles and others.

    2. The gathered data is to be stored effectively to ensure no violation of privacy of the participants occurs under any condition as it would lead to ethical issues for the study.

    3. After the data is stored, you are required to examine them to determine the similarity and differentiation patterns. This is required to prepare for categorising them accordingly.

    4. After the patterns are understood, sort the data under themes and interpret them accordingly so that it answers the raised questions in the thesis. You are required to support the interpretation of the data with valid evidence to ensure credibility and reliability.

Correlation Analysis SPSS

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that the qualitative data analysis process for thesis writing requires effective effort from the researchers. They are required to select the approaches to be used in performing the analysis and later required to choose the method of qualitative data analysis as per the raised problems or questions in the study.

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