Short Course on Text Analysis Systematic Techniques for Analyzing Qualitative Data

Supported by the National Science Foundation Duke Marine Labs, Beaufort, North Carolina, July 25–29, 2005

Instructors

Gery W. Ryan, RAND, Santa Monica, CA, Phone: (310) 393-0411 x7925, Fax: (310) 260-8159, Email: gery@rand.org

Clarence C. Gravlee, Dept. of Anthropology, Florida State University, Phone: (850) 644-4754, Fax: (850) 645-0032, Email: cgravlee@fsu.edu

Course Overview

Description

This course lays out a broad range of systematic methods for analyzing qualitative data – text and images –and provides guidance on when the methods should be used. We will cover the basics of qualitative research, including: techniques for identifying themes, tips for building and applying codebooks, and suggestions on how to produce qualitative descriptions, make systematic comparisons, and build and formally test models. The course will concentrate on three fundamental analysis traditions: grounded theory, classic content analysis, and semantic analyses. Classes will be divided between lecture-style presentations and hands-on laboratories where participants will analyze real data. Though not intended as a review of software products, participants will be shown how general and specialized software (including Microsoft Word & Excel , Atlas.ti , EZText , Anthropac , and UCINet ) can be used to facilitate the analysis of qualitative data. At the end of the workshop, participants should be familiar enough with the various techniques to be able to apply them to their own data as well as to demonstrate them to their students and colleagues.

Who should apply

Only anthropologists who have completed their Ph.D.s will be considered. Preference will be given to those who have experience conducting systematic and scientific research and who are likely to apply for NSF-sponsored funding in the future. Preference will also be given to individuals who are currently teaching graduate courses in research methods.

Course requirements

All participants will be expected to come with a laptop that has the ability to run Windows-based software programs. (Mac users may need to install software to emulate a Windows environment.) Participants will need to have Microsoft Word & Excel loaded on their computers and will be asked to download and install additional demo or free software before arriving at camp.

Course Readings

Required

Articles will be made available during the course and via the course website when possible. Required readings are marked with an asterisk (*) in the schedule.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of fair use that user may be liable for copyright infringement. These materials are made available for the educational purposes of participants in the University of Florida's Short Courses on Research Methods in Cultural Anthropology. No further reproduction, transmission, or electronic distribution of this material is permitted.

Recommended Reference Texts

Bernard, H.R., 2002. Research Methods in Anthropology, 3 rd Edition . Sage Publications.

Dey, I. 1993. Qualitative Data Analysis: A User Friendly Guide for Social Scientists. London: Routledge.

Krippendorf, K. 1980. Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.

Miles, M.B., & A.M. Huberman. 1994. Qualitative Data Analysis: an Expanded Sourcebook, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Neuendorf, K.A. 2002. The Content Analysis Guidebook . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Strauss, A., and J. Corbin. 1990. Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques . Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Weller, S.C. & A.K. Romney. 1988. Systematic Data Collection. Newbury Park, CA, Sage Publications.

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